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Communication and Media Studies at SUNY College at Potsdam

Potsdam, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,933/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #180 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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	$516K	$513K	$475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.8x	14.7x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.9x	6.9x	6.4x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,848

Out-of-state: $74,488 (6.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,180

-64% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,187

44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,933 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 14.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt-to-$34,933 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #180 out of 613 programs, SUNY College at Potsdam's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,933 to $50,187 shows 44% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About SUNY College at Potsdam

SUNY College at Potsdam has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,951 in Potsdam, NY. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at SUNY College at Potsdam →

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 SUNY College at Potsdam

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

How does SUNY College at Potsdam's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Communication and Media Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% 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 →