Communication and Media Studies at Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,051/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #451 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 $475K $477K $449K
Earnings Multiple 4.2x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$111,752
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$76,980
31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,376
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,825
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Rochester University's Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning $36,051/yr — within striking distance of the $35,147 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 4.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,376 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,051 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #451 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Rochester University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $36,051 to $43,825 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Rochester University

Rochester University's 65% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 827 students in Rochester Hills, MI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $76,980 — 31% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rochester 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 Rochester University

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 Rochester University?
A score of 29/100 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 $449,409 in decade earnings vs $474,650 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →