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Communication and Media Studies at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,772/yr (-12% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #361 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	$492K	$492K	$460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.8x	11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.1x	5.1x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,672

Out-of-state: $96,584 (5.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,472

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

10.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,071

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,772/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$30,772 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #361 out of 613 programs, University of Louisiana at Lafayette's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $30,772 to $45,071 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Lafayette accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,269 students in Lafayette, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette →

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 Louisiana at Lafayette

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 Louisiana at Lafayette's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 33/100 — 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 →