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Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,695/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #84 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$536K	$530K	$488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.3x	18.1x	16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.8x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	49	48	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,268

Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$77,888

-166% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,772

47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,695/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.1x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $36,695 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #84 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $36,695 to $53,772 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina Wilmington

With 74% of applicants admitted, University of North Carolina Wilmington prioritizes broad access, serving 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.

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

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 Wilmington

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 Wilmington?

A score of 48/100 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 $487,633 in decade earnings vs $535,505 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of North Carolina Wilmington's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #84 of 613 programs nationally, University of North Carolina Wilmington 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 →