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Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,262/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 19.0x earnings multiple (9.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #231 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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 $577K $566K $514K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.4x 19.0x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.4x 9.2x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,808
Out-of-state: $61,608 (9.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$11,772
61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,260
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,761
101% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,262 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from CUNY Brooklyn College earn below the $35,147 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 19.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $11,260 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #231 out of 613 programs, CUNY Brooklyn College's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $27,262 to $54,761 over five years (101% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About CUNY Brooklyn College

CUNY Brooklyn College accepts 54% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 10,443 students in Brooklyn, NY. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $11,772 over four years — 61% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Brooklyn College →

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 CUNY Brooklyn College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($51,862) Information Science/Studies ($49,688) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,233) Accounting and Related Services ($42,862) Sociology ($41,062) Finance and Financial Management Services ($37,867) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($37,223) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($37,057)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY Brooklyn College's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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 are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at CUNY Brooklyn College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY Brooklyn College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Brooklyn College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,808, but the average net cost is $11,772 — a 61% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →