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Communication & Media at UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ

Cranford, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Communication and Media Studies

with a mid-sized student body of 7,760 in Cranford, NJ.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,484/yr fall 24% below the $28,401 national median for Communication & Media. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 32.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 55% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $10,750 debt-to-$21,484 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #14 out of 16 programs, UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ's financial outcomes for Communication & Media trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,484 to $34,975 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Public Affairs (Military Only) with a median wage of $69,780/yr) connects to Communication & Media careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
29
Low End
37
Score
41
High End
Earnings $21,484/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (45% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$377K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.7x
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)
$10,560
Out-of-state: $19,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,750
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,975
63% 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

Communication & Media opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Communication & Media career guide →

Compare & Explore

Communication & Media Overview

View all 16 schools offering Communication & Media →

Communication & Media at Other Schools

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($42,321) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($38,767) University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College ($38,767) Sinclair Community College ($32,284) Northampton County Area Community College ($30,471) Onondaga Community College ($29,915) Nassau Community College ($29,016) Full Sail University ($28,447)

Other Majors at UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ

Nursing ($82,581) Practical Nursing ($57,957) Medical Assisting ($48,332) Health Sciences ($41,512) Criminal Justice ($30,629) Engineering ($27,813) Business ($27,225) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($25,989)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Communication & Media degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 37/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Communication & Media at UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Communication & Media. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Communication & Media careers?
AI won't eliminate Communication & Media careers, but it may reshape them. At UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ, a score of 37/100 already accounts for the 55% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Can you still earn well with Communication & Media from UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ?
Starting salary is one data point. If UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
How many job openings are there for Communication & Media graduates?
Job availability for Communication & Media is strong — 83,300 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ graduates specifically, local market conditions in NJ may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →