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Communication and Media Studies at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,417/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #331 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	$448K	$454K	$433K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.2x	13.4x	12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.9x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,820

Out-of-state: $76,840 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,544

-91% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,728

7.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,619

16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,417 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 13.4x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,728 debt-to-$33,417 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #331 out of 613 programs, University of Arkansas at Little Rock's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $33,417 to $38,619 over five years (16% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of Arkansas at Little Rock

With a 58% acceptance rate, University of Arkansas at Little Rock is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 4,740 students in Little Rock, AR. With 41% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock →

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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 34/100 — 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 →