Communication and Media Studiesat Towson University
Graduates earn $42,657/yr in their first year — about 21.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $576K; scenarios range from $521K to $589K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Towson University
First-year earnings of $42,657 at Towson University come in 21% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $42,657 far exceeding the $17,989 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #24 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $42,657 to $63,882 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Towson 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 Towson University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Towson University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Towson 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 Towson University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Towson University?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.
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 $520,936 in decade earnings vs $588,529 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Towson University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #24 of 613 programs nationally, Towson University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.