Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,348/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 16.6x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 1%

Program Analysis

The strength of a UNC communication degree isn't just in the classroom; it's in the Carolina brand and its location. You're graduating from a "Public Ivy" situated directly within the Research Triangle, a major hub for tech, healthcare, and finance. This gives you a powerful local recruiting advantage for corporate communications, public relations, and marketing roles at firms like SAS, Cisco, or the region's many biotech companies—opportunities that drive earnings far beyond what a typical comms degree might yield. The program's reputation also opens doors to competitive agencies in Charlotte, Atlanta, and DC. Given the high AI risk for content-focused roles, your key to long-term success is leveraging UNC's network. Your most important move will be to secure internships that build specialized industry knowledge—like tech PR or healthcare marketing—making you an indispensable strategist, not just a content creator.

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 $612K $596K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.0x 16.6x 14.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.8x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,956
Out-of-state: $157,320 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,932
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,625
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,532
56% growth from Year 1

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is competitive, with 19% of applicants accepted, with 20,556 students enrolled in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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

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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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
A score of 57/100 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 $535,419 in decade earnings vs $611,587 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 613 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →