Communication and Media Studies at University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,309/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
14.9x earnings multiple (7.6x 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 | $516K | $513K | $476K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.0x | 14.9x | 13.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.6x | 7.6x | 7.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 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)
$34,424
Out-of-state: $67,548 (7.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,308
34% growth from Year 1
About University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-River Falls accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 4,152 students in River Falls, WI.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-River Falls →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
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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 Wisconsin-River Falls's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 46/100 — 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 does University of Wisconsin-River Falls rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #118 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →