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Communication and Media Studies at University of Delaware

Newark, DE · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,897/yr (19% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #30 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	$677K	$653K	$576K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.5x	10.1x	9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.3x	4.1x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	53	52	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$64,320

Out-of-state: $158,880 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,724

-5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,296

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$75,745

81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,897 at University of Delaware come in 19% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.1x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,296 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,897 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #30 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $75,745 show a 81% jump from the $41,897 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Delaware

A 65% admission rate makes University of Delaware accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 18,812 students in Newark, DE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Delaware →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of Delaware?

A score of 52/100 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 $576,213 in decade earnings vs $676,531 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Delaware's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #30 of 613 programs nationally, University of Delaware lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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