Best institutions to study Business/Corporate Communications
Compare 59 U.S. colleges offering Business/Corporate Communications by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 29 states.
Business/Corporate Communications programs report a median of $40,005 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 52.05 and the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Business/Corporate Communications programs
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, and the general public. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of communication and business management, preparing them for roles that require effective messaging strategies.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking. They will gain knowledge in communications and media, administration and management, and customer service, along with practical experience in planning and executing communication strategies.
Top 11 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bentley University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,141 | 25 | 87% | $31,677 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,378 | 10 | 65% | $16,718 | $23,250 |
| 3 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,880 | 212 | 72% | — | $12,125 |
| 4 | Walsh University North Canton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,213 | 2 | 58% | $18,964 | $30,619 |
| 5 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,000 | 22 | 68% | $26,556 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,005 | 17 | 35% | $21,085 | $19,500 |
| 7 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,901 | 83 | 82% | $42,965 | $18,500 |
| 8 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,816 | 41 | 83% | $25,376 | $24,187 |
| 9 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,696 | 19 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 10 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,207 | 1 | 77% | $32,060 | $23,247 |
| 11 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,513 | 15 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
Offered across 29 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | $57,141 | Bentley University |
| Michigan | 4 | $49,378 | Aquinas College |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | $47,880 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | $46,213 | Walsh University |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | $41,000 | Stevenson University |
| Illinois | 4 | $40,005 | Roosevelt University |
| Californialimited | 2 | $39,901 | Chapman University |
| Wisconsin | 3 | $39,816 | Marquette University |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | $38,207 | Duquesne University |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | $36,513 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Business/Corporate Communications program can expect a positive job outlook, with an annual growth rate of 4.8% and approximately 27,600 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $69,780, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Business/Corporate Communications
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.05 (Business/Corporate Communications) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-2032 | Public Relations Managers |
| 11-2033 | Fundraising Managers |
| 13-1131 | Fundraisers |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1122 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3031 | Public Relations Specialistsprimary |
| 27-3041 | Editors |
| 27-3042 | Technical Writers |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
| 43-9081 | Proofreaders and Copy Markers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Business/Corporate Communications programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
- Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
Concentrations within Business/Corporate Communications
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Business/Corporate Communications, GeneralCIP 52.0501
A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.
- GrantsmanshipCIP 52.0502
A program that prepares individuals to develop and write grant proposals to support an organization or cause
- Business/Corporate Communications, OtherCIP 52.0599
Any program in business or corporate communications not included above.
Common questions
What is Business/Corporate Communications?+
It is a program focused on managing internal and external communications to create favorable perceptions among stakeholders.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and more.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8%.
What is the typical salary for graduates?+
The median wage for professionals in this field is $69,780.
How much do Business/Corporate Communications graduates earn?+
Business/Corporate Communications graduates report median earnings of $40,005 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Public Relations Specialists occupation pays about $84,120 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Business/Corporate Communications?+
Business/Corporate Communications maps to CIP 52.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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