Home › University of Missouri-Kansas City › Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies at University of Missouri-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,786/yr (10% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #136 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	$533K	$528K	$486K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.1x	11.0x	10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.6x	4.2x
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)

$47,952

Out-of-state: $115,152 (4.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,348

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,750

5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,079

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Missouri-Kansas City's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $38,786/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 11.0x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,750 in median debt clears quickly against $38,786 in annual earnings.

Ranked #136 out of 613 programs, University of Missouri-Kansas City's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,786 to $54,079 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Missouri-Kansas City

A 75% acceptance rate means University of Missouri-Kansas City is accessible to most applicants, serving 6,618 students in Kansas City, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Kansas City →

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 Missouri-Kansas City

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 Missouri-Kansas City'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 Missouri-Kansas City rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #136 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 →