Communication and Media Studies at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public · Associate Degree

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with 29,094 students enrolled in Cincinnati, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,767 put University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies program 36% above the national median of $28,401 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 14.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Communication and Media Studies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $38,767 far exceeding the $17,392 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #6 ranking among 16 Communication and Media Studies programs places University of Cincinnati-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Public Affairs (Military Only) with a median wage of $69,780/yr) connects to Communication and Media Studies careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
45
Score
47
High End
Earnings $38,767/yr (36% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (45% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$406K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
14.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$27,140
Out-of-state: $61,164
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,392
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Communication and Media Studies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Public relations managers $138,520 +5.0% 45%
Fundraising managers $123,480 +4.2% 44%
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800 +2.1% 57%
Public relations managers
$138,520
+5.0% growth 45% AI-proof
Fundraising managers
$123,480
+4.2% growth 44% AI-proof
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800
+2.1% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

About Communication and Media Studies Careers

Your career could start in a fast-paced public relations agency, where you’ll spend your days drafting press releases, pitching stories to journalists using media databases, and managing a company's social media presence. Another common path is in fundraising for non-profits, writing compelling grant proposals and using donor management software to build relationships and plan events.

Read the full Communication and Media Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Communication and Media Studies Overview

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $405,589 in decade earnings vs $405,589 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is there demand for Communication and Media Studies workers?
With approximately 83,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Communication and Media Studies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →