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Communication and Media Studies at University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,530/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 20.3x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #108 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	$526K	$521K	$482K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.5x	20.3x	18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.6x	7.5x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	46	39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$25,640

Out-of-state: $69,296 (7.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,172

-57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,323

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,525

49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Florida's Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning $34,530/yr — within striking distance of the $35,147 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,323 represents roughly 6 months of the $34,530 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #108 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $34,530 to $51,525 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of South Florida

University of South Florida's 41% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 36,299 in Tampa, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Florida →

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 South Florida

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 South Florida?

A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $481,503 in decade earnings vs $525,746 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of South Florida's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #108 of 613 programs nationally, University of South Florida lands in the top 25%. 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 →