Communication and Media Studiesat New Jersey City University
Graduates earn $13,796/yr in their first year — about 61.0% below the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $478K; scenarios range from $450K to $475K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at New Jersey City University
While the New York City media world is right next door, this program's outcomes suggest graduates aren't landing the high-paying corporate roles in Manhattan. This may be because NJCU is a regional public university primarily serving its local community, without the powerful recruiting pipelines of more selective schools. Your competition for coveted internships at places like NBCUniversal or major PR firms will be fierce. Many graduates likely find work in smaller, local businesses, non-profits, or public sector roles within New Jersey, which offer more modest starting salaries. The broadness of a communications degree means your success will depend almost entirely on the portfolio and network you build. To beat these numbers, you must aggressively pursue internships across the river in NYC from your very first year—don't wait for a class to require it.
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 New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at New Jersey City University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at New Jersey City University?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication and Media Studies at New Jersey City University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $14,750 against $13,796/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $449,802 in decade earnings vs $475,276 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from New Jersey City University?
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.