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Communication and Media Studies at University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,000/yr (11% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #334 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	$621K	$604K	$541K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.6x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$232,888

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$157,980

32% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,875

6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,922

72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,000 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from University of San Francisco earn slightly above the $35,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 2.6x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,875 debt-to-$39,000 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #334 out of 613 programs, University of San Francisco's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $39,000 to $66,922 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of San Francisco

University of San Francisco accepts 51% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 5,697 students in San Francisco, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,980 over four years — 32% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of San Francisco →

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 San Francisco

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

This program scores 34/100 — 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.

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