Communication and Media Studies at University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,059/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
13.5x earnings multiple (6.1x 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 | $556K | $548K | $501K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.7x | 13.5x | 12.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.2x | 6.1x | 5.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 38 | 38 | 33 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,544
Out-of-state: $90,292 (6.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,810
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,266
83% growth from Year 1
About University of Southern Indiana
With 95% of applicants admitted, University of Southern Indiana prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,344 in Evansville, IN.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Indiana →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 Southern Indiana
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does University of Southern Indiana's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 38/100 — 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 are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at University of Southern Indiana?
Lower starting pay at University of Southern Indiana may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →