Montana · Communication and Media Studies

Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies in Montana

Ranked by graduate earnings

The University of Montana, Carroll College and Montana State University Billings award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees and certificates in Montana: 38, 5 and 4 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Montana colleges offer Communication and Media Studies and award 50 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
4
offering CIP 09.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
50
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$34,377
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,440
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
49%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$67,960
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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
1The University of Montana
Missoula Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,3773848%—$20,328

Colleges awarding the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Montana

Top 4 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)
1The University of Montana
Missoula Public
38$34,377
2Carroll College
Helena Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
3Montana State University Billings
Billings Public
4Not reported
4Rocky Mountain College
Billings Private not-for-profit
3Not 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 Montana

Jobs in Montana
1,760
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$67,960
median $63,780
Best-paying metro
$71,570
Bozeman, MT

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$67,960 avg · 1,760 jobs
Fundraisers
$64,490 avg · 700 jobs
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$50,390 avg · 290 jobs
Editors
$67,960 avg · 200 jobs
Public Relations Managers
$111,870 avg · 180 jobs
Fundraising Managers
— avg · 170 jobs

Common questions

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

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

The University of Montana (38 graduates a year), Carroll College (5 graduates a year) and Montana State University Billings (4 graduates a year) award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees and certificates in Montana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Montana colleges offer Communication and Media Studies.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The University of Montana tops the list at $34,377. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Montana?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Montana is $67,960 (median $63,780), across about 1,760 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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