Communication and Media Studiesat University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Graduates earn $44,638/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $597K; scenarios range from $536K to $613K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
First-year earnings of $44,638 put University of Washington-Tacoma Campus's Communication and Media Studies program 27% above the national median of $35,147 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 11.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 13% 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.
With first-year pay of $44,638 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus ranks #18 among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $44,638-to-$68,260 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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 Washington-Tacoma Campus'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 Washington-Tacoma Campus stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, 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 Washington-Tacoma Campus
What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?
At 54/100, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus'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 Washington-Tacoma Campus?
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 Washington-Tacoma Campus one of the best schools for Communication and Media Studies?
Among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus's #18 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.