Communication and Media Studiesat Adelphi University
Graduates earn $16,178/yr in their first year — about 54.0% below the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $632K; scenarios range from $561K to $653K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Adelphi University
While the career paths listed are high-paying, Adelphi's location presents a unique challenge. You'll be competing for internships and entry-level jobs in the hyper-competitive New York City media market against graduates from highly-ranked, big-name programs like NYU and Columbia. Many of those schools have deeply entrenched recruiting pipelines into Manhattan's top agencies, networks, and corporations. Adelphi’s program may place graduates into more local, Long Island-based roles at smaller businesses, non-profits, or in public sector communications, which often have different pay scales than their big-city counterparts. To overcome this, your key action is to aggressively pursue multiple off-campus internships in Manhattan throughout your degree. Building a professional network and a portfolio of real-world NYC experience will be absolutely critical to launching into a higher-earning career track after graduation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Adelphi University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies
How Adelphi University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Adelphi University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Adelphi University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication and Media Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at Adelphi University
What does a 16/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at Adelphi University?
At 16/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Communication and Media Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Communication and Media Studies degree from Adelphi University?
At $19,500 in median debt, graduates carry 14 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at Adelphi University?
The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Adelphi University a good choice for Communication and Media Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Adelphi University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.