Communication Disorders at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,378/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 28.5x earnings multiple (11.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

San Diego State's Communication Disorders program consistently ranks among the nation's best, reflecting its rigorous curriculum and strong faculty. While initial earnings data might appear lower than the national average, this often reflects the regional labor market dynamics in Southern California. Public sector roles for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, particularly in school districts like San Diego Unified, are prevalent and vital but often have standardized pay scales that don't always align with the high cost of living. Your undergraduate degree here is a superb foundation, almost certainly preparing you for graduate studies—an essential step for full licensure and significantly higher earning potential in clinical or private practice settings. This program excels at providing robust clinical experiences and networking opportunities within the San Diego healthcare and education communities, with graduates finding roles at local hospitals like Sharp and Scripps, as well as various therapy centers. To maximize your long-term prospects, focus on securing strong internships and meticulously planning your graduate school applications, as that advanced degree is key to unlocking the field's full financial and professional rewards.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication Disorders graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $950K $946K $778K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 28.7x 28.5x 23.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.8x 11.7x 9.6x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 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 (11.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,255
236% growth from Year 1

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University admits 34% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, 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

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Diego State University's Communication Disorders program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Communication Disorders. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication Disorders to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication Disorders careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →