Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,234/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
18.2x earnings multiple (6.0x 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 | $529K | $524K | $484K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.3x | 18.2x | 16.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.0x | 6.0x | 5.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 50 | 49 | 42 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,856
Out-of-state: $87,504 (6.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,309
39% growth from Year 1
About University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 23,567 students in Charlotte, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →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
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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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
A score of 49/100 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 $483,626 in decade earnings vs $529,128 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #67 of 613 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands in the top 25%. 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 →