California · Business/Corporate Communications

Best colleges for Business/Corporate Communications in California

Ranked by graduate earnings

Chapman University and National University award the most Business/Corporate Communications degrees and certificates in California: 83 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 California colleges offer Business/Corporate Communications and award 102 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Business/Corporate Communications program focuses on managing and orchestrating both internal and external communications within organizations. It aims to create a favorable perception among stakeholders, including employees, media,…

Institutions
2
offering CIP 52.05
States offered
29
with a program page
Degrees / yr
102
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,696
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$42,965
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$97,140
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Chapman University
Orange Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,9018382%$42,965$18,500
2National University
San Diego Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$38,6961943%$31,817—

Colleges awarding the most Business/Corporate Communications degrees in California

Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Chapman University
Orange Private not-for-profit
83$39,901
2National University
San Diego Private not-for-profit
19$38,696

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 California

Jobs in California
32,710
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$97,140
median $85,030
Best-paying metro
$126,870
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$97,140 avg · 32,710 jobs
Editors
$111,810 avg · 14,830 jobs
Fundraisers
$86,320 avg · 12,860 jobs
Public Relations Managers
$185,180 avg · 9,400 jobs
Writers and Authors
$106,560 avg · 8,390 jobs
Fundraising Managers
$157,470 avg · 5,430 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Business/Corporate Communications programs in California.

Which California colleges award the most Business/Corporate Communications degrees?+

Chapman University (83 graduates a year) and National University (19 graduates a year) award the most Business/Corporate Communications degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 California colleges offer Business/Corporate Communications.

Which Business/Corporate Communications program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Chapman University tops the list at $39,901. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in California is $97,140 (median $85,030), across about 32,710 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Business/Corporate Communications program?+

The Business/Corporate Communications program focuses on managing and orchestrating both internal and external communications within organizations. It aims to create a favorable perception among stakeholders, including employees, media,…

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).

Business/Corporate Communications in other statesMassachusettsMichiganNew YorkOhioMarylandIllinoisWisconsinPennsylvania

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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