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Communication and Media Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,286/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #117 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	$562K	$553K	$504K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	12.3x	11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.5x	3.4x	3.1x
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)

$44,820

Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,712

-51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,874

55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,286 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison earn slightly above the $35,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.3x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,286 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #117 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $57,874 show a 55% jump from the $37,286 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison accepts 43% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 35,665 in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison?

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 $504,097 in decade earnings vs $561,721 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #117 of 613 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 →