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Communication and Media Studies at University of Massachusetts-Boston

Boston, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,480/yr (21% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 8.6x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #135 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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 $539K $533K $490K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.6x 7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,984
Out-of-state: $148,696 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,128
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,258
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,110
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Massachusetts-Boston's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $42,480/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 8.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,258 debt-to-$42,480 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #135 out of 613 programs, University of Massachusetts-Boston's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,480 to $56,110 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Massachusetts-Boston

A 83% acceptance rate means University of Massachusetts-Boston is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 11,848 in Boston, MA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Boston →

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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Boston

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,118) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,672) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($58,909) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($50,352) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($49,417) History ($46,908) Economics ($46,523) Social Work ($45,227)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Massachusetts-Boston's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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.
Why does University of Massachusetts-Boston rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #135 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →