Communication and Media Studies: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 64 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$115,373 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−108%Modeled 10-year ROI
$44,143Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$44,143Median reported earnings · year 4
$42,399Average reported earnings · year 5
$11,944Median federal debt
38thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
64Reporting programs
64With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,296
- Federal debt
- $23,062
- Reporting programs
- 5
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $44,143
- Federal debt
- $11,944
- Reporting programs
- 64
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,091
- Federal debt
- $25,000
- Reporting programs
- 699
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $68,613
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $68,404
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 61
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $76,868
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $98,037
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,332
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$37,778National median$44,14375th percentile$47,470
64 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
53 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1West Valley CollegeSaratoga, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$65,280Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$3,4232College of San MateoSan Mateo, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$65,120Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5363Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$63,835Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,4144Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$61,426Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$1,7385San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$60,716Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,9356Salt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake City, UT · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,408Federal debt$12,220Annual net price$9,8047San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,321Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,8148University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,995Federal debt$17,922Annual net price$25,6489University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeBlue Ash, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,995Federal debt$17,922Annual net price$16,50810Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,829Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,20311De Anza CollegeCupertino, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,738Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,64212College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,940Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$3,70213Suffolk County Community CollegeSelden, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,227Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,25814Gavilan CollegeGilroy, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,070Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,54215College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,300Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,61516Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,880Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$3,13317Delaware County Community CollegeMedia, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,470Federal debt$7,125Annual net price$6,57618College of the DesertPalm Desert, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,357Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,72819College of Western IdahoNampa, ID · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,282Federal debt$12,500Annual net price$8,50020Nassau Community CollegeGarden City, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,054Federal debt$11,000Annual net price$7,09521Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,735Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,61422Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,235Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$3,86423Sinclair Community CollegeDayton, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,816Federal debt$11,944Annual net price$5,99224Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,550Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,49025Onondaga Community CollegeSyracuse, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,520Federal debt$11,833Annual net price$8,562
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1West Valley College$65,2802College of San Mateo$65,1203Evergreen Valley College$63,8354Skyline College$61,4265San Diego City College$60,7166Salt Lake Community College$56,4087San Diego Mesa College$56,3218University of Cincinnati-Main Campus$55,9959University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College$55,99510Orange Coast College$53,829Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Communications Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1122 · 3 crosswalk linksPublic Relations ManagersSOC 11-2032 · 3 crosswalk linksWriters and AuthorsSOC 27-3043 · 3 crosswalk linksBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc JockeysSOC 27-3011 · 2 crosswalk linksEditorsSOC 27-3041 · 2 crosswalk linksNews Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsSOC 27-3023 · 2 crosswalk linksPublic Relations SpecialistsSOC 27-3031 · 2 crosswalk linksFundraisersSOC 13-1131 · 1 crosswalk linksFundraising ManagersSOC 11-2033 · 1 crosswalk linksMedia and Communication Workers, All OtherSOC 27-3099 · 1 crosswalk linksNO MATCHSOC 99-9999 · 1 crosswalk links
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saratoga, CA | $65,280 | Not available | +109% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | College of San MateoAssociate's Degree | San Mateo, CA | $65,120 | Not available | +121% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Evergreen Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $63,835 | Not available | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Skyline CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Bruno, CA | $61,426 | Not available | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | San Diego City CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $60,716 | Not available | +48% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Salt Lake Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $56,408 | $12,220 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | San Diego Mesa CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $56,321 | Not available | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $55,995 | $17,922 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blue Ash, OH | $55,995 | $17,922 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Orange Coast CollegeAssociate's Degree | Costa Mesa, CA | $53,829 | Not available | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | De Anza CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cupertino, CA | $53,738 | Not available | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | College of the CanyonsAssociate's Degree | Santa Clarita, CA | $49,940 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Selden, NY | $49,227 | Not available | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Gavilan CollegeAssociate's Degree | Gilroy, CA | $49,070 | Not available | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | College of Southern NevadaAssociate's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $48,300 | Not available | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Santa Ana CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Ana, CA | $47,880 | Not available | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Delaware County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Media, PA | $47,470 | $7,125 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | College of the DesertAssociate's Degree | Palm Desert, CA | $47,357 | Not available | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | College of Western IdahoAssociate's Degree | Nampa, ID | $47,282 | $12,500 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Nassau Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Garden City, NY | $47,054 | $11,000 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Sacramento City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $45,735 | Not available | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Pasadena City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, CA | $45,235 | Not available | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Sinclair Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dayton, OH | $44,816 | $11,944 | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walnut, CA | $44,550 | Not available | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Onondaga Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $44,520 | $11,833 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Riverside City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Riverside, CA | $44,269 | Not available | -107% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Connecticut State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New Britain, CT | $44,143 | Not available | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Long Island City, NY | $43,801 | $8,511 | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New York, NY | $43,763 | $8,643 | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | County College of MorrisAssociate's Degree | Randolph, NJ | $43,668 | $9,000 | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $42,077 | $24,555 | -127% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Modesto Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Modesto, CA | $40,635 | Not available | -146% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Butte CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oroville, CA | $39,968 | Not available | -150% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Diablo Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pleasant Hill, CA | $39,912 | Not available | -148% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Community College of PhiladelphiaAssociate's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $39,860 | $14,000 | -145% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Montgomery County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blue Bell, PA | $39,366 | $12,000 | -150% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Central New Mexico Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $38,064 | Not available | -170% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | South Texas CollegeAssociate's Degree | McAllen, TX | $37,778 | Not available | -177% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Full Sail UniversityAssociate's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $37,309 | $33,960 | -146% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Southwestern CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chula Vista, CA | $37,303 | Not available | -167% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyAssociate's Degree | Cranford, NJ | $37,008 | $7,350 | -175% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Northampton County Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $36,736 | $17,500 | -172% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Long Beach City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $36,632 | Not available | -182% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Monroe Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rochester, NY | $36,389 | $9,750 | -184% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Antelope Valley Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Lancaster, CA | $36,358 | Not available | -188% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | College of the SequoiasAssociate's Degree | Visalia, CA | $34,551 | Not available | -215% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Jamestown Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Jamestown, NY | $34,452 | $12,000 | -196% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Bristol Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fall River, MA | $32,041 | Not available | -228% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Erie Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $31,535 | $11,000 | -228% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Saint Louis Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bridgeton, MO | $30,346 | Not available | -237% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Dutchess Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Poughkeepsie, NY | $30,308 | $10,998 | -233% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Santa Monica CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Monica, CA | $29,371 | Not available | -264% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Glendale Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Glendale, CA | $28,646 | Not available | -253% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Asnuntuck Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 55 | Connecticut State Community College HousatonicAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 56 | Manchester Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 57 | Naugatuck Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 58 | Middlesex Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 59 | Three Rivers Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 60 | Connecticut State Community College NorwalkAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 61 | Northwestern Connecticut Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 62 | Quinebaug Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 63 | Connecticut State Community College GatewayAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 64 | Connecticut State Community College TunxisAssociate's Degree | , | $44,143 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.