Communication and Media Studiesat University of Delaware
Graduates earn $41,897/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $653K; scenarios range from $576K to $677K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Delaware
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.
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 University of Delaware'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 University of Delaware stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Delaware
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Delaware, 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 University of Delaware
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.