Home › North Carolina Central University › Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies at North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,750/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #398 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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 $476K $478K $450K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.2x 18.3x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.1x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 32 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,168
Out-of-state: $78,312 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,112
-130% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,375
12.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,853
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,750/yr fall 27% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 18.3x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,375 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,750 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #398 out of 613 programs, North Carolina Central University's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,750 to $40,853 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,400 students in Durham, NC. 57% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,142) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($74,597) Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration ($62,022) Accounting and Related Services ($48,489) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,773) Public Health ($38,198) Social Sciences, General ($35,978) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($35,819)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does North Carolina Central University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do North Carolina Central University Communication and Media Studies graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 North Carolina Central University?
Lower starting pay at North Carolina Central University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →