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Communication & Media at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Communication and Media Studies

enrolling 10,556 students in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Communication & Media graduates start at $23,307/yr, trailing the $28,401 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 35.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 55% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At #12 out of 16 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's financial outcomes for Communication & Media trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,307 to $36,514 over five years (57% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Public Affairs (Military Only) with a median wage of $69,780/yr) connects to Communication & Media careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
31
Low End
39
Score
43
High End
Earnings $23,307/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (45% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$407K
11.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,514
57% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Communication & Media graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Public relations managers $138,520 +5.0% 45%
Fundraising managers $123,480 +4.2% 44%
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800 +2.1% 57%
Public relations managers
$138,520
+5.0% growth 45% AI-proof
Fundraising managers
$123,480
+4.2% growth 44% AI-proof
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800
+2.1% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

Communication & Media Career Guide

Explore what Communication & Media graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 16 programs nationwide.

Read the full Communication & Media career guide →

Compare & Explore

Communication & Media Overview

View all 16 schools offering Communication & Media →

Communication & Media at Other Schools

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($42,321) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($38,767) University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College ($38,767) Sinclair Community College ($32,284) Northampton County Area Community College ($30,471) Onondaga Community College ($29,915) Nassau Community College ($29,016) Full Sail University ($28,447)

Other Majors at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Nursing ($75,260) Allied Health Professions ($68,603) Practical Nursing ($56,230) Veterinary Technology ($50,281) Medical Assisting ($40,463) Legal Support Services ($36,358) Business Administration ($29,953) Audio & Video Technology ($29,299)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Communication & Media degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Communication & Media program score?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication & Media. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How vulnerable is Communication & Media to AI automation?
AI exposure of 55% is a real factor. For CUNY LaGuardia Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($406,595) and pessimistic ($243,842) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why are Communication & Media earnings lower at CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY LaGuardia Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
How many job openings are there for Communication & Media graduates?
The career paths mapped to Communication & Media have roughly 83,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →