Communication and Media Studies at CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,054/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
19.8x earnings multiple (9.5x out-of-state)
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 | $599K | $585K | $528K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 20.3x | 19.8x | 17.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 9.8x | 9.5x | 8.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 44 | 44 | 39 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,528
Out-of-state: $61,328 (9.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,875
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,558
102% growth from Year 1
About CUNY Hunter College
With a 54% acceptance rate, CUNY Hunter College is moderately selective, serving 16,642 students in New York, NY. With 55% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Hunter College →Top Career Paths
Public relations managers
$138,520/yr
Fundraising managers
$123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at CUNY Hunter College
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 CUNY Hunter College?
A score of 44/100 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 $527,517 in decade earnings vs $599,007 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes CUNY Hunter College's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #138 of 613 programs nationally, CUNY Hunter College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is CUNY Hunter College a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below the $29,528 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →