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Communication and Media Studies at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,734/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 5%

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 $560K $551K $503K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.1x 18.8x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.2x 9.0x 8.2x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (9.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,858
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,593
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

CUNY City College's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $42,734/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 18.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,858 in median debt clears quickly against $42,734 in annual earnings.

CUNY City College ranks #12 among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 39% earnings increase from $42,734 to $59,593 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving 11,934 students in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City 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)

Compare Communication and Media Studies

CUNY City College vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo → CUNY City College vs CUNY Graduate School and University Center → CUNY City College vs University of Maryland Global Campus →

Other Majors at CUNY City College

Computer Science ($83,258) Computer Engineering ($78,326) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,172) Chemical Engineering ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,194) Mechanical Engineering ($65,905) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($62,945) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($56,711)

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 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at CUNY City College?
At 55/100, CUNY City College's Communication and Media Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at CUNY City 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.
Is CUNY City College one of the best schools for Communication and Media Studies?
Among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, CUNY City College's #12 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Communication and Media Studies at CUNY City College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →