Idaho · Communication and Media Studies

Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies in Idaho

Ranked by graduate earnings

Boise State University, Brigham Young University - Idaho and Idaho State University are the top bachelor's Communication and Media Studies programs in Idaho by graduate earnings. Boise State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,954, College Scorecard. Boise State University, Brigham Young University - Idaho and Idaho State University award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Idaho: 230, 175 and 42 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Idaho colleges offer Communication and Media Studies and award 503 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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
9
offering CIP 09.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
503
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$33,475
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,681
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
47%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$66,910
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 bachelor's programs, 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
1Boise State University
Boise Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,95423060%—$23,095
2Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,94117555%$6,760$13,207
3Idaho State University
Pocatello Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,4754239%—$29,000
4Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$23,300571%$24,681—

Colleges awarding the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Idaho

Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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)
1Boise State University
Boise Public
230$37,954
2Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg Private not-for-profit
175$36,941
3Idaho State University
Pocatello Public
42$33,475
4University of Idaho
Moscow Public
18Not reported
5North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene Public
14Not reported
6College of Western Idaho
Nampa Public
10Not reported
7Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston Public
8Not reported
8Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa Private not-for-profit
5$23,300
9College of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls Public
1Not reported

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 Idaho

Jobs in Idaho
1,220
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$66,910
median $61,110
Best-paying metro
$71,130
Boise City, ID

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$66,910 avg · 1,220 jobs
Fundraisers
$69,140 avg · 380 jobs
Editors
— avg · 230 jobs
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$57,450 avg · 220 jobs
Writers and Authors
$65,800 avg · 90 jobs
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
— avg · 80 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in Idaho.

Which Idaho colleges award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees?+

Boise State University (230 graduates a year), Brigham Young University - Idaho (175 graduates a year) and Idaho State University (42 graduates a year) award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Idaho, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Idaho colleges offer Communication and Media Studies.

What is the best college for Communication and Media Studies in Idaho?+

By graduate earnings, Boise State University leads among bachelor's Communication and Media Studies programs in Idaho, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,954, College Scorecard. Brigham Young University - Idaho and Idaho State University follow. By degrees awarded, Boise State University is the largest, with 230 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Boise State University tops the list at $37,954. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Idaho?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Idaho is $66,910 (median $61,110), across about 1,220 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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).

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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