Communication and Media Studies at University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,296/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
15.8x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
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 | $582K | $570K | $517K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.2x | 15.8x | 14.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.6x | 5.5x | 5.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 54 | 53 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,976
Out-of-state: $103,800 (5.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,232
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,967
54% growth from Year 1
About University of Nevada-Reno
With 85% of applicants admitted, University of Nevada-Reno prioritizes broad access, enrolling 15,723 students in Reno, NV.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →Top Career Paths
Public relations managers
$138,520/yr
Fundraising managers
$123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Nevada-Reno
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of Nevada-Reno?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.
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 $516,617 in decade earnings vs $581,651 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Nevada-Reno's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #25 of 613 programs nationally, University of Nevada-Reno lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →