Communication and Media Studies at University of North Carolina Wilmington

UNCW's communication graduates earn slightly more than the statewide median ($44,581 vs. $32,323 four years out) but trail higher-ranked North Carolina programs by meaningful margins—they're making roughly $5,000 less annually than NC State grads and nearly $4,000 less than Appalachian State alumni in the same field. At 60th percentile statewide, this program sits comfortably in the middle tier among North Carolina's 40 communication programs. The $21,500 debt load is notably lower than both state and national medians, creating a more manageable financial burden than typical for this major.

The 22% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates find their footing over time, and the sub-0.6 debt-to-earnings ratio indicates most will handle loan payments without severe strain. However, communication degrees rarely lead to high earnings, and even UNCW's better-than-average outcomes still mean your child will likely start below $37,000 and peak around $45,000—modest compensation even in North Carolina's cost structure.

For families prioritizing affordability and keeping debt manageable, UNCW delivers reasonable value in a field where few programs produce strong financial returns. If your student is passionate about communication and committed to UNCW specifically, the controlled debt makes it workable. Just understand they'll trade lower loans for lower lifetime earnings compared to peers at Elon or UNC-Chapel Hill.