Louisiana · Communication and Media Studies

Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies in Louisiana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Tulane University of Louisiana and University of Louisiana at Lafayette are the top bachelor's Communication and Media Studies programs in Louisiana by graduate earnings. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,426, College Scorecard. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Tulane University of Louisiana and Southeastern Louisiana University award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Louisiana: 410, 146 and 48 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Louisiana colleges offer Communication and Media Studies and award 894 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
17
offering CIP 09.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
894
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$27,375
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
11
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,906
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$67,520
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 10 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
1Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,42641069%—$22,875
2Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$33,42814686%$33,106$23,082
3University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,7722753%—$27,000
4Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,2074845%—$21,660
5Grambling State University
Grambling Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,3754636%—$36,500
6Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,1372743%—$21,750
7McNeese State University
Lake Charles Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,1312047%—$22,625
8University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe Public · Bachelor's degree
$21,4603254%—$25,000
9Nicholls State University
Thibodaux Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$29,5081554%—$25,000
10Louisiana State University - Shreveport
Shreveport Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,536838%—$20,299

Colleges awarding the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Louisiana

Top 10 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)
1Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public
410$38,426
2Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
146$33,428
3Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond Public
48$30,207
4Grambling State University
Grambling Public
46$27,375
5University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe Public
32$21,460
6Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
32Not reported
7Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Alexandria Public
30Not reported
8Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches Public
27$25,137
9University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public
27$30,772
10McNeese State University
Lake Charles Public
20$25,131
Show the other 7 Louisiana colleges offering Communication and Media Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Southern University and A & M CollegeBaton RougePublic28
Nicholls State UniversityThibodauxPublic15
Dillard UniversityNew OrleansPrivate not-for-profit13
Louisiana State University - ShreveportShreveportPublic8
Louisiana Tech UniversityRustonPublic5
Loyola University New OrleansNew OrleansPrivate not-for-profit4
Centenary College of LouisianaShreveportPrivate not-for-profit3

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 Louisiana

Jobs in Louisiana
1,710
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$67,520
median $60,470
Best-paying metro
$76,420
New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$67,520 avg · 1,710 jobs
Media and Communication Workers, All Other
— avg · 980 jobs
Writers and Authors
$82,560 avg · 480 jobs
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$63,920 avg · 410 jobs
Fundraisers
$70,870 avg · 330 jobs
Editors
$62,750 avg · 330 jobs

Common questions

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

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

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (410 graduates a year), Tulane University of Louisiana (146 graduates a year) and Southeastern Louisiana University (48 graduates a year) award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Louisiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Louisiana colleges offer Communication and Media Studies.

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

By graduate earnings, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads among bachelor's Communication and Media Studies programs in Louisiana, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,426, College Scorecard. Tulane University of Louisiana and University of Louisiana at Lafayette follow. By degrees awarded, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is the largest, with 410 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College tops the list at $38,426. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Louisiana?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Louisiana is $67,520 (median $60,470), across about 1,710 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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