Home Schools University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Communication and Media Studies
Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #32 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Graduates earn $40,673/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $540K; scenarios range from $495K to $547K depending on AI disruption.

Oshkosh, WI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
52 AVERAGE
52
Optimistic
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,673
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$540K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

First-year earnings of $40,673 at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh come in 16% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

With a 16.4x 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.

At $26,000 against $40,673/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ranks #32 among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 40% earnings increase from $40,673 to $56,851 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$495K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$540K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple16.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$547K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Communication and Media Studies graduates typically work

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.

1
Public relations managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 6,600 openings/yr
$138,520/yr
High
2
Fundraising managers
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$123,480/yr
High
3
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
4
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
5
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
6
Media and communication workers, all other
+2.7% 10-yr growth · 3,000 openings/yr
$71,770/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies

How University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Ashford University
CA · Private for-profit
47
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
NY · Public
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
19.7x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Also at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh?

At 52/100, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh'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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh?

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 Wisconsin-Oshkosh one of the best schools for Communication and Media Studies?

Among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's #32 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.