Communication & Media Studies at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
23
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

Program Analysis

While this program scores well for its value, your earnings potential is heavily shaped by its location in Cookeville. Unlike programs in major media hubs, TTU graduates often start their careers in smaller regional markets across Tennessee and the South, where the cost of living is lower but so are starting salaries in communications, marketing, or local journalism. This can be a great fit if you plan to stay and work in the region. The curriculum provides a broad, versatile foundation rather than a hyper-specialized track, preparing you for a variety of roles from corporate communications to content creation. To counter the high AI risk in this field, your key action is to aggressively build a portfolio of uniquely human skills—think video production, podcasting, or strategic community management—through internships and campus media before you graduate.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication & Media Studies 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

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 & Media Studies 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 & Media Studies program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Communication & Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication & Media Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication & Media Studies 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 & Media Studies 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 →