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Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,484/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (8.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #139 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 $544K $537K $493K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.4x 18.1x 16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.9x 8.7x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,640
Out-of-state: $61,440 (8.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,928
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,710
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,336
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,484/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 18.1x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $32,484 far exceeding the $10,710 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #139 out of 613 programs, CUNY Lehman College's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $32,484 to $53,336 over five years (64% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About CUNY Lehman College

A 55% admission rate makes CUNY Lehman College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 10,438 students in Bronx, NY. With 61% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,928 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Lehman 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 Lehman College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($101,531) Computer Science ($59,516) Information Science/Studies ($50,133) Economics ($44,258) History ($43,874) Accounting and Related Services ($43,728) Philosophy ($43,311) Political Science and Government ($43,059)

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

How does CUNY Lehman College's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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 CUNY Lehman College rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #139 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.
How affordable is Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Lehman College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,640, but the average net cost is $13,928 — a 53% 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 →