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Communication and Media Studies at University of Denver

Denver, CO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,234/yr (3% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #443 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	$606K	$592K	$532K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.5x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	29	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$237,360

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$144,148

39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,666

6.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,583

75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,234 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.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,666 debt-to-$36,234 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #443 out of 613 programs, University of Denver's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $36,234 to $63,583 over five years (75% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Denver

University of Denver has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 6,059 in Denver, CO. After financial aid, the average student pays $144,148 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Denver →

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 Denver

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 Denver's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 29/100 — 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 →