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Communication and Media Studies at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,569/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #22 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 5%

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	$674K	$650K	$575K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.1x	10.7x	9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.5x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$60,988

Out-of-state: $184,096 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,152

-0% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,000

3.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$75,758

78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $42,569 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from University of California-Davis earn slightly above the $35,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 10.7x 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 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $13,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #22 out of 613 programs, University of California-Davis's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $42,569 to $75,758 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis accepts 42% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 31,777 students enrolled in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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 California-Davis

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 California-Davis's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies graduates.

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.

Why does University of California-Davis rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #22 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →