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Communication and Media Studies at Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,666/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #237 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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	$533K	$527K	$486K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.6x	8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.5x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	40	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$54,984

Out-of-state: $96,456 (5.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,652

-49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,307

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Ohio University-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning $36,666/yr — within striking distance of the $35,147 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,666 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #237 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Ohio University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $36,666 to $53,307 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Ohio University-Main Campus

A 85% acceptance rate means Ohio University-Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 18,456 students in Athens, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Main Campus →

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 Ohio University-Main Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Ohio University-Main Campus?

A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Communication and Media Studies careers?

With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $485,746 in decade earnings vs $532,502 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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