Communication and Media Studies at Prairie View A & M University

Prairie View, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
23
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,269/yr (-37% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #571 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

Program Analysis

While the raw earnings data may seem concerning, it reflects a specific regional and career landscape. Prairie View is located outside the major Houston media market, meaning many graduates find their first roles in local government, smaller non-profits, or community-focused organizations rather than high-paying corporate PR firms in the city center. This major provides a broad, versatile skillset, but its value is unlocked through practical experience. The career paths you see, like fundraising or PR manager, are senior roles you grow into, not starting positions. Your immediate goal should be to bridge the gap between campus and the Houston professional world. To overcome the location challenge, you must be aggressive in seeking internships, freelance projects, and networking opportunities in Houston throughout your degree, building a strong portfolio before you even graduate.

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 $467K $470K $444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.4x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 23 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,196
Out-of-state: $107,496 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,164
-24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,750
15.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,973
71% growth from Year 1

About Prairie View A & M University

With 75% of applicants admitted, Prairie View A & M University prioritizes broad access, serving 8,527 students in Prairie View, TX. 62% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Prairie View A & M 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 Prairie View A & M 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Prairie View A & M University?
A score of 23/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication and Media Studies at Prairie View A & M University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,750 against $22,269/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $444,449 in decade earnings vs $466,757 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Prairie View A & M University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →