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Communication and Media Studies at Southeastern University

Lakeland, FL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,983/yr (-20% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 3.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #559 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	$413K	$424K	$411K
Earnings Multiple	3.3x	3.3x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	24	23	19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$126,928

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$120,836

5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

8.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Southeastern University's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $27,983/yr, trailing the $35,147 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x 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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $27,983 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #559 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Southeastern University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Southeastern University

A 74% acceptance rate means Southeastern University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 4,646 students in Lakeland, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Southeastern 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 Southeastern 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 Southeastern University?

A score of 23/100 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 $410,977 in decade earnings vs $413,462 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Southeastern University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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