Communication and Media Studies at Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia's Communication and Media Studies associate's program graduates with earnings around $25,000—falling below both Pennsylvania's median ($27,632) and the national average for this degree. At the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania programs, it trails stronger in-state options like Northampton County Area Community College, where graduates earn over $30,000. The modest 6% earnings growth to $26,282 by year four suggests limited immediate advancement, though the program does serve a significant population of Pell grant recipients (53%) who might otherwise have fewer pathways to higher education.

The financial picture offers one bright spot: at $14,000, debt sits slightly above state median but well below national averages, creating a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can realistically pay down this debt even on entry-level wages. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably with future cohorts—what looks like a pattern might just be noise.

For families considering this program, the question is whether $26,000 in earnings justifies two years of education when stronger options exist elsewhere in Pennsylvania. If location and affordability make Community College of Philadelphia the only viable choice, the debt load won't bury students. But if your child can access Northampton or other higher-performing programs, the earnings gap—roughly $4,000 annually—compounds over a career.