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Communication and Media Studies at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,773/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #37 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 10%

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	$573K	$563K	$511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.3x	17.0x	15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	7.0x	6.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	51	51	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,160

Out-of-state: $80,680 (7.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,696

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$59,719

58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,773 at San Diego State University come in 7% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.0x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $37,773 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #37 of 613 programs, San Diego State University's Communication and Media Studies program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $59,719 show a 58% jump from the $37,773 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University accepts 34% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 33,654 in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Diego State 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 San Diego State University?

A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.

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 $511,275 in decade earnings vs $573,146 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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