Home › Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University › Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,309/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #57 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 10%

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 $594K $580K $524K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.4x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,239
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Communication and Media Studies graduates command $44,309/yr out of the gate, well above the $35,147 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $44,309 in annual earnings.

Ranked #57 of 613 programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Communication and Media Studies program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $44,309 to $65,239 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's 57% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 30,435 students enrolled in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.
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 $524,102 in decade earnings vs $593,570 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →