Communication & Media at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public · Certificate · Communication and Media Studies

A 50% admission rate makes University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 20,189 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,321 put University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's Communication & Media program 49% above the national median of $28,401 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 29.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication & Media programs nationally.

The 34% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 55% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Communication & Media graduates.

Median debt of $24,188 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,321 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #2 of 16 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication & Media program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $42,321 to $61,884 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
50
Score
54
High End
Earnings $42,321/yr (49% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (45% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$673K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.3x
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)
$21,524
Out-of-state: $39,890
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,188
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,884
46% 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 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Communication & Media at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Communication & Media graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication & Media at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
Our scenarios model 55% of Communication & Media tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's 50/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Why does University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus rank so high for Communication & Media?
Ranked #2 of 16 programs nationally, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What's the job market like for Communication & Media from University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
With approximately 83,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Communication & Media offers a large employment pool. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →