Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,234/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #67 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 $529K $524K $484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 18.2x 16.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,856
Out-of-state: $87,504 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,980
-104% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,309
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,234 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte come in 9% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.2x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 6 months of the $38,234 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #67 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $38,234 to $53,309 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 23,567 students in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
A score of 49/100 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 $483,626 in decade earnings vs $529,128 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #67 of 613 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →