Communication and Media Studiesat Texas A & M International University
Graduates earn $22,430/yr in their first year — about 36.0% below the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $528K; scenarios range from $486K to $533K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Texas A & M International University
While the career paths listed show high national earning potential, your actual starting salary will be shaped by the local Laredo economy. TAMIU primarily serves South Texas, a region dominated by international trade, logistics, and retail rather than the large corporate headquarters or major media markets that typically pay top dollar for communication roles. You’ll find opportunities in local government, school districts, small businesses, and non-profits, but these positions reflect the regional pay scale. The career ladder here is different; you won't be competing for jobs at major ad agencies in Austin or Dallas right away. To maximize your degree's value, focus on gaining tangible, tech-forward skills like digital marketing analytics, SEO, and video production. This will make you a more competitive candidate for higher-paying remote work or roles in larger Texas cities if you choose to relocate after graduation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Texas A & M International University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies
How Texas A & M International University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Texas A & M International University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Texas A & M International University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication and Media Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at Texas A & M International University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Texas A & M International University?
A score of 32/100 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 $486,329 in decade earnings vs $533,428 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Texas A & M International 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.
Is Texas A & M International University a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $12,244 over four years — 61% below the $31,384 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.