Communication and Media Studies at University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,311/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
10.0x earnings multiple (4.0x 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 | $534K | $528K | $486K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.1x | 10.0x | 9.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.0x | 4.0x | 3.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 44 | 43 | 36 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$52,848
Out-of-state: $133,624 (4.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,361
38% growth from Year 1
About University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 23,189 students enrolled in Lexington, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Kentucky →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 Kentucky
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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of Kentucky?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $486,486 in decade earnings vs $533,681 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →