Communication and Media Studiesat University of Maryland-College Park
Graduates earn $43,696/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $647K; scenarios range from $572K to $670K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Maryland-College Park
Your strong earnings potential from this program isn’t just about the curriculum; it’s about geography. The University of Maryland is a primary talent pipeline for the massive communications and public affairs ecosystem of nearby Washington, D.C. You’ll be competing for internships and jobs at federal agencies, influential non-profits, lobbying firms, and global PR agencies that simply don’t exist in most other cities. This direct access to a world-class job market is what drives graduate outcomes well above the national average for this field. While the AI risk for content-focused roles is real, the D.C. market prizes strategic communication, crisis management, and public affairs skills that are harder to automate. Your key to success is landing a D.C.-based internship; start networking and applying from your sophomore year to build the experience needed for a top-tier job upon graduation.
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 Maryland-College Park'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 Maryland-College Park stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Maryland-College Park
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland-College Park, 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 Maryland-College Park
How does University of Maryland-College Park's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies graduates.
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.
Why does University of Maryland-College Park rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #7 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.