CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Staten Island, New York

Is Communication and Media Studies at College of Staten Island CUNY worth it?

Medium confidence Medium confidence: 40–99 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back fast: graduates typically recover the cost in about 1.5 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$41,150
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$66,264
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$18,780
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$13k (likely $13k – $17k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$29k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in NY
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
1.5 years (likely 1.2–2.2)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
$92k (likely $23k – $155k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$442k (likely $290k – $606k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
36%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Communication and Media Studies at other schools

🎬 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward media & storytelling majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
  • AP Seminar

IB Higher Level

  • Language A: Literature HL or Language and Literature HL
  • Film HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at College of Staten Island CUNY

Communication and Media Studies at other schools in New York