Communication and Media Studiesat University of Phoenix-California
Graduates earn $47,919/yr in their first year — about 36.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $514K; scenarios range from $476K to $517K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Phoenix-California
While the earnings figures look strong, it's crucial to understand who this program is designed for. University of Phoenix primarily serves working adults, not traditional high school graduates. This means many of your classmates will already have years of professional experience and are likely using this degree to formalize their skills for a promotion or career change. The impressive salary outcomes reflect this experienced student body, rather than a typical entry-level starting point.
The program's location in Southern California's massive economy provides access to countless corporate communications, PR, and nonprofit roles. However, because the field is vulnerable to automation, your success will depend on building skills AI can't replicate. My advice: Aggressively use your school's career services to connect with local employers and find internships that let you build a portfolio of sophisticated, strategic work.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Phoenix-California's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies
How University of Phoenix-California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Phoenix-California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Phoenix-California, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication and Media Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at University of Phoenix-California
How does University of Phoenix-California's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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.