Communication Disordersat San Francisco State University
Graduates earn $27,296/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Communication Disorders average. Base-case 10-year earnings $774K; scenarios range from $660K to $777K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at SF State
The strong performance of SF State's Communication Disorders program reflects the unique dynamics of the San Francisco Bay Area. This region boasts a high demand for skilled speech-language pathologists and audiologists across its extensive network of healthcare facilities, diverse school districts, and private practices. The local economy and competitive labor market often translate to higher compensation to attract and retain talent in these specialized fields. Your education here will provide unparalleled access to varied clinical placements, which are crucial for hands-on experience in a bustling urban environment. This exposure to diverse patient populations and therapeutic settings helps graduates develop a highly sought-after skill set. As you plan your path, actively seek out these clinical opportunities early to hone the diagnostic and empathetic skills that make these professions resilient and deeply rewarding.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to SF State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication Disorders
How SF State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at SF State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at SF State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication Disorders offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication Disorders trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication Disorders at SF State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication Disorders at San Francisco State University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication Disorders. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Communication Disorders careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $659,954 in decade earnings vs $777,103 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.