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Communication and Media Studies at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,131/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (12.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #432 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication and Media Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$493K	$493K	$461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.6x	14.6x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.4x	12.4x	11.6x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	30	26

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,840

Out-of-state: $39,840 (12.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$45,028

-33% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,250

10.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,915

71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,131 place McNeese State University below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 14.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,250 debt-to-$25,131 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #432 out of 613 programs, McNeese State University's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,131 to $42,915 over five years (71% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About McNeese State University

A 68% admission rate makes McNeese State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 4,846 in Lake Charles, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at McNeese State University →

Top Career Paths

Public relations managers $138,520/yr

Fundraising managers $123,480/yr

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at McNeese State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does McNeese State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Communication and Media Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at McNeese State University?

Lower starting pay at McNeese State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →