Communication and Media Studies at University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
46
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,758
78% growth from Year 1
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
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 →