Best institutions to study Business/Corporate Communications
A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.
57 U.S. institutions graduated 836 Business/Corporate Communications students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0501, a specialization of Business/Corporate Communications (CIP 52.05), and leads most directly to the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 27-3031).
About Business/Corporate Communications programs
A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Business/Corporate Communications program prepares students to excel in the creation and management of business-related communications. This program is ideal for individuals looking to enhance their skills in composing, editing, and proofreading various forms of communication within organizations. Graduates are equipped to effectively convey messages that maintain a positive image of their organizations.
Students in this program develop essential skills in active listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework covers key areas such as communications and media, administration and management, and customer service, preparing graduates to navigate the complexities of corporate communication effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Business/Corporate Communications graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree555 graduates / yr · 36 institutions66%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year103 graduates / yr · 9 institutions12%
- Master's degree91 graduates / yr · 10 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate69 graduates / yr · 4 institutions8.3%
- Associate's degree18 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.2%
Graduates over time
Business/Corporate Communications completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 860 |
| 2013 | 910 |
| 2014 | 838 |
| 2015 | 896 |
| 2016 | 1,011 |
| 2017 | 1,091 |
| 2018 | 1,062 |
| 2019 | 935 |
| 2020 | 994 |
| 2021 | 993 |
| 2022 | 845 |
| 2023 | 795 |
| 2024 | 785 |
| 2025 | 836 |
Top 50 institutions for Business/Corporate Communications, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 212 | 72% | — | $47,880 |
| 2 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 83 | 82% | $42,965 | $39,901 |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 48 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 4 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 83% | $25,376 | $39,816 |
| 5 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 37 | 59% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 64% | — | — |
| 7 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 30 | 83% | — | — |
| 8 | Bentley University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 87% | $31,677 | $57,141 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Abington Abington, PAPublicBachelor's | 25 | 20% | — | — |
| 10 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 68% | $26,556 | $41,000 |
| 11 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 53% | — | — |
| 12 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 43% | $31,817 | $38,696 |
| 13 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 35% | $21,085 | $40,005 |
| 14 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 15 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor's | 15 | 64% | — | $36,513 |
| 16 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicMaster's | 14 | 74% | — | — |
| 17 | Lycoming College Williamsport, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 60% | $17,924 | — |
| 18 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 59% | $22,906 | — |
| 19 | York County Community College Wells, MEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 34% | — | — |
| 20 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 25% | — | — |
| 21 | Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 65% | $16,718 | $49,378 |
| 22 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAssociate's | 9 | 38% | — | — |
| 23 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster's | 7 | 52% | — | — |
| 24 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 67% | — | — |
| 25 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 33% | — | — |
| 26 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Schuylkill Schuylkill Haven, PAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 32% | — | — |
| 27 | Christian Brothers University Memphis, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 55% | $11,063 | — |
| 28 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TXPublicBachelor's | 6 | 53% | — | — |
| 29 | Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, IDPublicBachelor's | 5 | 40% | — | — |
| 30 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Shenango Sharon, PAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 42% | — | — |
| 31 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 52% | $28,087 | — |
| 32 | Millikin University Decatur, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 55% | $8,373 | — |
| 33 | Augustana University Sioux Falls, SDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 73% | $23,011 | — |
| 34 | Western Colorado University Gunnison, COPublicBachelor's | 3 | 50% | — | — |
| 35 | Waldorf University Forest City, IAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 21% | $22,328 | — |
| 36 | University of New England Biddeford, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 68% | $34,673 | — |
| 37 | Anoka - Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 30% | — | — |
| 38 | Manchester Community College Manchester, NHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 41% | — | — |
| 39 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Lehigh Valley Center Valley, PAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 18% | — | — |
| 40 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Fayette - Eberly Lemont Furnace, PAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 41 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 39% | $10,446 | — |
| 42 | Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 58% | $15,126 | — |
| 43 | Westminster College Fulton, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 55% | $25,185 | — |
| 44 | University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online Manchester, NHPublicBachelor's | 2 | 30% | — | — |
| 45 | Walsh University North Canton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 58% | $18,964 | $46,213 |
| 46 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 49% | $29,887 | — |
| 47 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Wilkes - Barre Dallas, PAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 23% | — | — |
| 48 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Scranton Dunmore, PAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Hazleton Hazleton, PAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 26% | — | — |
| 50 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 52% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Business/Corporate Communications field (CIP 52.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states & territories
Where Business/Corporate Communications graduates come from. Each state links to all Business/Corporate Communications programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Business/Corporate Communications program can pursue careers as Public Relations Specialists, Writers, Editors, and more. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.8% and about 27,600 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is approximately $69,780, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0501
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Relations Specialistsprimary SOC 27-3031 | $74,750 | +4.8% About as fast as average | ~27,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Editors SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Public Relations Managers SOC 11-2032 | $146,910 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~6,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Technical Writers SOC 27-3042 | $90,390 | +0.9% Little or no change | ~4,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Proofreaders and Copy Markers SOC 43-9081 | $51,120 | -0.6% Little or no change | ~1,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Business/Corporate Communications programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Business/Corporate Communications specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Business/Corporate Communications (CIP 52.05).
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, a postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and more.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Public Relations Specialists, Writers, Editors, and in various other communication roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8% and approximately 27,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Business/Corporate Communications?+
Business/Corporate Communications is CIP 52.0501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Business/Corporate Communications (CIP 52.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.
How many institutions offer Business/Corporate Communications programs?+
57 U.S. institutions reported Business/Corporate Communications graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states & territories, awarding 836 credentials in the year. That is 97.8% of all Business/Corporate Communications graduates.
How much do Business/Corporate Communications graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Public Relations Specialists occupation, which Business/Corporate Communications most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business/Corporate Communications field report median earnings of $40,005 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Business/Corporate Communications graduates, so its figures match the Business/Corporate Communications program page.
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