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Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,411/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 33.1x earnings multiple (15.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #304 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	$470K	$473K	$446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	32.9x	33.1x	31.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	15.5x	15.6x	14.7x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$14,284

Out-of-state: $30,284 (15.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$39,672

-178% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$28,250

12.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$40,196

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $26,411 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from University of North Carolina at Pembroke earn below the $35,147 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 33.1x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $28,250 against $26,411/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #304 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of North Carolina at Pembroke scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $40,196 show a 52% jump from the $26,411 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of North Carolina at Pembroke

With 92% of applicants admitted, University of North Carolina at Pembroke prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,386 in Pembroke, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 48% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Pembroke?

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.

Is Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Pembroke worth the student debt?

Median debt of $28,250 against $26,411/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 $446,409 in decade earnings vs $469,875 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from University of North Carolina at Pembroke?

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.

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