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Communication and Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,279/yr (15% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #65 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$550K	$542K	$497K
Earnings Multiple	13.6x	13.4x	12.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	49	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$40,468

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,940

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,161

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,279 at Saint Cloud State University come in 15% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $40,279 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #65 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $40,279 to $57,161 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud State University accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,181 in Saint Cloud, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Cloud 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University?

A score of 49/100 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 $496,527 in decade earnings vs $549,668 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Saint Cloud State University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #65 of 613 programs nationally, Saint Cloud State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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