Communication and Media Studies at Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
33
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,307
45% growth from Year 1
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
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 →