Communication & Media at Monroe Community College

Rochester, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Communication and Media Studies

with a mid-sized student body of 7,737 in Rochester, NY.

Program Analysis

Monroe Community College's Communication & Media program produces graduates earning $27,123/yr — within striking distance of the $28,401 national average for this trade.

With a 37.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Communication & Media carry above-average AI exposure (55% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,375 in median debt clears fast against $27,123 in annual earnings.

A #7 ranking among 16 Communication & Media programs places Monroe Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $27,123-to-$43,673 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

Communication & Media has a registered apprenticeship option through Public Affairs (Military Only) with a median wage of $69,780/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
43
Score
46
High End
Earnings $27,123/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (45% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$476K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,712
Out-of-state: $21,512
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,375
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,673
61% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Communication & Media graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Public relations managers $138,520 +5.0% 45%
Fundraising managers $123,480 +4.2% 44%
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800 +2.1% 57%
Public relations managers
$138,520
+5.0% growth 45% AI-proof
Fundraising managers
$123,480
+4.2% growth 44% AI-proof
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800
+2.1% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

Communication & Media Career Guide

Explore what Communication & Media graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 16 programs nationwide.

Read the full Communication & Media career guide →

Compare & Explore

Communication & Media Overview

Communication & Media at Other Schools

Other Majors at Monroe Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Communication & Media at Monroe Community College?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication & Media. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication & Media at Monroe Community College?
Our scenarios model 55% of Communication & Media tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Monroe Community College's 43/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How many job openings are there for Communication & Media graduates?
With approximately 83,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Communication & Media offers a large employment pool. Monroe Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →