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Communication and Media Studies at University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,922/yr (-23% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #479 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	$481K	$482K	$453K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.6x	11.7x	11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.1x	8.2x	7.7x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	28	24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,376

Out-of-state: $59,136 (8.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$53,012

-28% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,000

10.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$41,952

56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,922 place University of Memphis below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 11.7x 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 $23,000 debt-to-$26,922 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #479 out of 613 programs, University of Memphis's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,922 to $41,952 over five years (56% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Memphis

University of Memphis accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 13,645 in Memphis, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Memphis →

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 Memphis

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Memphis's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 28/100 — 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 are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at University of Memphis?

Lower starting pay at University of Memphis may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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