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Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,367/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.5x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #230 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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 $458K $462K $439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.3x 15.5x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.5x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,856
Out-of-state: $61,656 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$11,912
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,500
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $36,367/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from CUNY Bernard M Baruch College land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 15.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Communication and Media Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $7,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #230 ranking among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs places CUNY Bernard M Baruch College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 15,734 in New York, NY. Pell Grant recipients make up 55% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $11,912 over four years — 60% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Bernard M Baruch 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 Bernard M Baruch College

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($62,306) Business/Managerial Economics ($57,909) Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology ($57,204) Finance and Financial Management Services ($54,991) Accounting and Related Services ($54,281) International Business ($52,290) Information Science/Studies ($51,864) Economics ($51,728)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Communication and Media Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College?
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.
What do students actually pay for Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College?
The 60% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,856. At a net cost of $11,912, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →