Communication and Media Studies at Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,140/yr (-28% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
14.0x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
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 | $479K | $480K | $452K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.0x | 14.0x | 13.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.4x | 5.4x | 5.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 29 | 28 | 25 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,272
Out-of-state: $89,136 (5.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,250
14.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,921
63% growth from Year 1
About Tennessee State University
A 93% acceptance rate means Tennessee State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 6,498 students in Nashville, TN. 52% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee State University →Top Career Paths
Public relations managers
$138,520/yr
Fundraising managers
$123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication and Media Studies at Tennessee State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $29,250 against $25,140/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $451,869 in decade earnings vs $478,567 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Tennessee State 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 →