Best colleges for Business/Corporate Communications
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Business/Corporate Communications by graduate earnings are Bentley University ($57,141), CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ($47,880) and Stevenson University ($41,000), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Bentley University (Waltham, MA): $57,141, 25 graduates a year
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (New York, NY): $47,880, 212 graduates a year
- Stevenson University (Owings Mills, MD): $41,000, 22 graduates a year
- Chapman University (Orange, CA): $39,901, 83 graduates a year
- Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI): $39,816, 41 graduates a year
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $40,005 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | 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 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,880 | 212 | 72% | — | $12,125 |
| 3 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,000 | 22 | 68% | $26,556 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,901 | 83 | 82% | $42,965 | $18,500 |
| 5 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,816 | 41 | 83% | $25,376 | $24,187 |
| 6 | Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,378 | 10 | 65% | $16,718 | $23,250 |
| 7 | Walsh University North Canton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,213 | 2 | 58% | $18,964 | $30,619 |
| 8 | Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,005 | 17 | 35% | $21,085 | $19,500 |
| 9 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,696 | 19 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 10 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,207 | 1 | 77% | $32,060 | $23,247 |
| 11 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,513 | 15 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
Specializations within Business/Corporate Communications
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
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 |
| 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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $40,005, College Scorecard (2019); 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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