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Communication and Media Studies at The University of Montana

Missoula, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,377/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #208 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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	$502K	$501K	$467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.4x	15.4x	14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	4.0x	3.7x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,608

Out-of-state: $126,488 (4.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,472

-110% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,687

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,859

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,377/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 15.4x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,687 debt-to-$34,377 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #208 out of 613 programs, The University of Montana's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,377 to $47,859 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Montana

The University of Montana accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 7,079 students in Missoula, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Montana →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Montana's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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 →