Communication and Media Studies at Texas A&M University-San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,953/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #381 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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 $434K $442K $424K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.6x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.8x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,192
Out-of-state: $92,496 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,880
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,755
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,953 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 11.6x 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 — 55% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,755 debt-to-$31,953 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #381 out of 613 programs, Texas A&M University-San Antonio's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Texas A&M University-San Antonio has a 92% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 6,224 in San Antonio, TX. With 51% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-San Antonio

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 Texas A&M University-San Antonio's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication and Media Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →