Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Starting at $26,411 puts UNC Pembroke communication graduates nearly $8,000 behind the North Carolina median and in the bottom 5% nationally—a significant gap that debt of $29,663 compounds. While the university's 92% admission rate and high Pell grant percentage signal accessibility, the financial return lags substantially behind peers: even Appalachian State's communication graduates earn $12,000 more in their first year, and top NC programs like Elon and Chapel Hill start above $43,000.

The 41% earnings growth to $37,207 by year four shows momentum, but that still trails the state median for first-year graduates. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.12 means students owe more than their first year's salary, creating a tighter margin for loan repayment than typical communication programs where graduates earn closer to $35,000 initially with less debt.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether UNC Pembroke's tuition advantage (if any) and mission of serving a diverse student body justifies starting $8,000-$12,000 behind graduates from other NC public universities. If your student can access Appalachian State or NC State's communication programs—where graduates see similar rankings in the 25th-40th percentile nationally but start $12,000+ higher—those represent materially better financial positions. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes, making this data reasonably reliable for decision-making.