Communication and Media Studiesat University of Utah
Graduates earn $43,801/yr in their first year — about 25.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $544K; scenarios range from $498K to $552K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Utah
University of Utah's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $43,801/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 14.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Communication and Media Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,500 in median debt clears quickly against $43,801 in annual earnings.
University of Utah ranks #27 among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 34% earnings increase from $43,801 to $58,546 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Utah'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 Utah stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Utah
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Utah, 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 Utah
What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at University of Utah?
At 53/100, University of Utah's Communication and Media Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at University of Utah?
The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Utah one of the best schools for Communication and Media Studies?
Among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of Utah's #27 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.