North Carolina · Communication and Media Studies

Best Communication and Media Studies institutions in North Carolina, ranked by earnings

The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students…

Institutions
36
offering CIP 09.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
2,409
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,234
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
20
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,108
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
56%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$68,760
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Elon University
Elon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$48,6371884%$33,688$23,250
2University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,34849291%$15,500
3Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$42,05513389%$20,914$22,250
4North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,88920185%$22,324
5Appalachian State University
Boone Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,3318475%$21,500
6University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,23427669%$24,050
7East Carolina University
Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,81329363%$23,250
8University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,69518471%$21,500
9Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,2794661%$24,872$27,000
10Meredith College
Raleigh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,157870%$19,552$27,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.8%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~27,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$69,780
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingWritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Public Relations Specialists earn in North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
9,290
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$68,760
median $63,280
Best-paying metro
$76,630
Raleigh-Cary, NC

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$68,760 avg · 9,290 jobs
Fundraisers
$67,440 avg · 3,520 jobs
Writers and Authors
$69,370 avg · 2,170 jobs
Editors
$73,920 avg · 2,000 jobs
Public Relations Managers
$148,810 avg · 1,390 jobs
Fundraising Managers
$128,200 avg · 1,240 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in North Carolina.

Which Communication and Media Studies program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Elon University tops the list at $48,637. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina is $68,760 (median $63,280), across about 9,290 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Communication and Media Studies program?+

The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, speaking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Public Relations Specialists?+

The national job outlook is about +4.8% growth with around 27,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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