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Communication & Journalism at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,828/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)

Job Market Medium (25,900 openings/yr)

ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #10 of 16 Communication & Journalism programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$519K	$515K	$474K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	12.8x	11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.4x	6.4x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	39%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	30	23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,336

Out-of-state: $80,464 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,828

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,750

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,176

67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,828 per year, Communication & Journalism graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn below the $34,532 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 12.8x 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 — 65% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,750 debt-to-$28,828 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #10 out of 16 programs, Tennessee Technological University's financial outcomes for Communication & Journalism trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,828 to $48,176 over five years (67% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Tennessee Technological University

With 83% of applicants admitted, Tennessee Technological University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 8,495 students in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological University →

Top Career Paths

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr

Editors $75,260/yr

Writers and authors $72,270/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication & Journalism at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tennessee Technological 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

How does Tennessee Technological University's Communication & Journalism program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Communication & Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Communication & Journalism to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Communication & Journalism careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Communication & Journalism earnings lower at Tennessee Technological University?

Lower starting pay at Tennessee Technological University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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