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Communication and Media Studies at University of Louisiana at Monroe

Monroe, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,460/yr (-39% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 14.9x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #415 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	$556K	$547K	$500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.1x	14.9x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.4x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,760

Out-of-state: $85,160 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,532

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,972

13.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,256

125% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,460/yr fall 39% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.9x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,972 against $21,460/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #415 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of Louisiana at Monroe falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,256 show a 125% jump from the $21,460 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Louisiana at Monroe has a 75% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,891 students in Monroe, LA.

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

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 Monroe

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 Louisiana at Monroe?

A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Communication and Media Studies at University of Louisiana at Monroe worth the student debt?

Median debt of $23,972 against $21,460/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

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 $500,240 in decade earnings vs $555,579 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from University of Louisiana at Monroe?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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