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Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,054/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 19.8x earnings multiple (9.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #138 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$599K	$585K	$528K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.3x	19.8x	17.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.8x	9.5x	8.6x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	44	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)

$29,528

Out-of-state: $61,328 (9.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$9,784

67% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$10,875

4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,558

102% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,054/yr fall 17% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

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.

At $10,875 in median debt against $29,054 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #138 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $58,558 show a 102% jump from the $29,054 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About CUNY Hunter College

With a 54% acceptance rate, CUNY Hunter College is moderately selective, serving 16,642 students in New York, NY. With 55% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Hunter 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY Hunter College

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Hunter College?

A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $527,517 in decade earnings vs $599,007 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes CUNY Hunter College's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #138 of 613 programs nationally, CUNY Hunter College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is CUNY Hunter College a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?

After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below the $29,528 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →