Communication and Media Studies at Texas A & M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,175/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #543 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

Program Analysis

While the national salary data for communications roles looks impressive, your earnings reality will be shaped by the South Texas regional economy. Kingsville is not a major corporate or media hub like Dallas or Houston, so the high-paying public relations and management jobs are scarce locally. Graduates often find work in smaller businesses, non-profits, or local government roles within the region, where pay scales are simply lower. The university serves as a vital educational anchor for the area, but it doesn't have the extensive recruiting pipelines into national media companies that larger, urban universities might. To overcome this geographic disadvantage, your key action is to aggressively pursue remote internships with companies in major cities throughout your studies. This builds a resume and network that can help you land a higher-paying remote or relocated position after graduation.

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 $508K $506K $470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.8x 11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 25 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)
$39,568
Out-of-state: $104,424 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,816
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,625
11.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,962
108% growth from Year 1

About Texas A & M University-Kingsville

Texas A & M University-Kingsville accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 4,622 students in Kingsville, TX. Pell Grant recipients make up 55% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas A & M University-Kingsville →

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 Texas A & M University-Kingsville

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Texas A & M University-Kingsville?
A score of 25/100 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 $470,424 in decade earnings vs $508,109 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Texas A & M University-Kingsville?
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 →