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Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,559/yr (-13% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 16.0x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #303 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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	$484K	$485K	$455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.9x	16.0x	15.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.2x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	36	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,372

Out-of-state: $93,356 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,680

-34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,000

9.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,769

43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,559 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.0x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,559 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #303 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of North Carolina at Greensboro scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $30,559 to $43,769 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Greensboro has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 13,848 students in Greensboro, NC. 47% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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 University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro?

A score of 36/100 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 $455,104 in decade earnings vs $483,719 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →