Best Communication and Media Studies Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 28 colleges offering Communication and Media Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 3,114 recent graduates. Graduates in North Carolina earn $28,429 on average within two years — 15% below the national average of $33,523. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Elon University graduates earn $41,119 while Johnson C Smith University graduates earn $18,315 — a $22,804 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NC

$28,429

NC Avg. Earnings

$33,523

National Avg.

678

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Communication and Media Studies in North Carolina

Public Schools (15)

$28,564

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (13)

$28,273

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in North Carolina produce comparable or higher early earnings for Communication and Media Studies graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Communication and Media Studies Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

Elon University

Elon, NC · Private

$41,119

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,416

Graduates: 85

Acceptance: 67.3%

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,075

Graduates: 67

Acceptance: 21.6%

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Private

$37,424

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,515

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 67.7%

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$35,914

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,358

Graduates: 252

Acceptance: 39.9%

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$35,126

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,203

Graduates: 480

Acceptance: 80.2%

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$34,876

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,632

Graduates: 330

Acceptance: 90.1%

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public

$34,526

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,926

Graduates: 212

Acceptance: 74.0%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$34,326

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,726

Graduates: 644

Acceptance: 18.7%

Catawba College

Salisbury, NC · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,770

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 77.7%

#10

Meredith College

Raleigh, NC · Private

Bennett College

Greensboro, NC · Private

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$29,250

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,661

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 86.7%

#13

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public

$28,834

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,877

Graduates: 228

Acceptance: 89.8%

#14

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,293

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 88.6%

#15

William Peace University

Raleigh, NC · Private

$27,488

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,700

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 97.4%

#16

Wingate University

Wingate, NC · Private

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC · Public

$25,426

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,546

Graduates: 63

Acceptance: 92.4%

#18

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,835

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 79.9%

#19

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

$24,730

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,579

Graduates: 209

Acceptance: 46.2%

#20

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public

$24,421

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,947

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 68.5%

#21

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC · Public

University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public

$22,572

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,386

Graduates: 67

Acceptance: 93.9%

#23

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public

$21,312

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,057

Graduates: 116

Acceptance: 90.5%

#24

Lees-McRae College

Banner Elk, NC · Private

Barton College

Wilson, NC · Private

Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,270

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 87.0%

#27

Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,994

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 30.5%

#28

Johnson C Smith University

Charlotte, NC · Private

$18,315

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,770

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 42.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Communication and Media Studies in North Carolina?

Elon University ranks #1 for Communication and Media Studies in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $41,119 within two years of graduation. There are 28 schools offering Communication and Media Studies programs in the state.

How much do Communication and Media Studies graduates earn in North Carolina?

Communication and Media Studies graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $28,429 within two years of graduation. This is 15% below the national average of $33,523 for this major.

What is the hardest Communication and Media Studies school to get into in North Carolina?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the most selective Communication and Media Studies program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 18.7%. The average acceptance rate across Communication and Media Studies programs in the state is 70.4%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Communication and Media Studies in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, private Communication and Media Studies programs produce average earnings of $28,273 vs $28,564 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 15 public and 13 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Industrial Engineering $68,397 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Engineering, General $61,816 Computer Science $60,095 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $60,005 Information Science/Studies $59,670

All colleges in North Carolina →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.