Best institutions to study Communication
Compare 65 U.S. colleges offering Communication by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 30 states.
Communication programs report a median of $39,400 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 09.99 and the Editors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Communication programs
The Communication program, officially titled 'Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other,' focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior. It explores patterns of communication in interpersonal relationships, social interactions, and various cultures, making it ideal for students interested in understanding and improving communication in diverse contexts. This program is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their ability to convey ideas, information, and emotions effectively. It caters to those who aspire to work in fields such as journalism, public relations, and media, equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed in a rapidly evolving communication landscape.
Students in the Communication program will develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework often includes knowledge in English language, communications and media, and customer service, preparing graduates to engage effectively with various audiences.
Top 12 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 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,969 | 40 | 85% | — | $20,474 |
| 2 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA Public · Associate degree | $41,282 | 23 | 21% | — | $18,375 |
| 3 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,040 | 18 | 88% | — | $22,250 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,582 | 1 | 86% | — | $26,500 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,582 | 33 | 34% | — | $26,500 |
| 6 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,400 | 24 | 47% | — | $22,576 |
| 7 | Berry College Mount Berry, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,931 | 30 | 69% | $20,108 | $22,965 |
| 8 | Benedictine College Atchison, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,238 | 10 | 62% | $24,826 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,828 | 13 | 58% | — | $19,362 |
| 10 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,024 | 14 | 25% | — | $25,964 |
| 11 | Malone University Canton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,204 | 6 | 45% | $21,492 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Howard University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,878 | 169 | 70% | $48,194 | $27,000 |
Offered across 30 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 4 | $43,969 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
| Ohio | 3 | $41,040 | Ohio State University - Main Campus |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | $39,582 | Harrisburg Area Community College |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | $39,400 | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
| Georgialimited | 2 | $36,931 | Berry College |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | $30,238 | Benedictine College |
| Tennessee | 3 | $28,828 | Tennessee Technological University |
| District of Columbialimited | 2 | $25,878 | Howard University |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 6 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 4 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Maryland | 3 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Communication program can pursue a range of careers in fields like journalism, public relations, and media. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with approximately 9,800 annual openings and a median wage of $75,260. A typical requirement for these roles is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Communication
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 09.99.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 09.99 (Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1122 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3041 | Editorsprimary |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Communication 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
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
Concentrations within Communication
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, OtherCIP 09.9999
Any instructional program in communication, journalism, and related fields not listed above.
Common questions
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Communication?+
Graduates can work in journalism, public relations, media, and other communication-related fields.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will enhance skills such as writing, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Communication graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A Bachelor's degree is usually required for careers in this field.
How much do Communication graduates earn?+
Communication graduates report median earnings of $39,400 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Editors occupation pays about $90,060 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Communication?+
Communication maps to CIP 09.99 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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