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Communication and Media Studies at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, NH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,551/yr (24% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 8.0x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #66 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	$625K	$608K	$544K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.2x	8.0x	7.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	3.9x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	49	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$76,448

Out-of-state: $155,528 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$93,044

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,990

7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$69,538

60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,551/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 8.0x 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 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,990 debt-to-$43,551 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #66 out of 613 programs, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $43,551 to $69,538 over five years (60% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 11,230 students in Durham, NH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus →

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 New Hampshire-Main Campus

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

How does University of New Hampshire-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 49/100 — 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 New Hampshire-Main Campus rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #66 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 →