Communication and Media Studies at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,813/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #52 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 10%

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 $554K $546K $499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.8x 18.5x 16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.8x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,444
Out-of-state: $94,552 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,056
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,874
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

East Carolina University's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $37,813/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.5x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,813 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #52 of 613 programs, East Carolina University's Communication and Media Studies program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $56,874 show a 50% jump from the $37,813 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About East Carolina University

A 90% acceptance rate means East Carolina University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 19,857 in Greenville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at East Carolina University →

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 East Carolina University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at East Carolina University?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.
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 $498,942 in decade earnings vs $553,508 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →