Best colleges for Communication
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Communication by graduate earnings are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($43,969), University of Nebraska at Omaha ($39,400) and Berry College ($36,931), 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%.
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN): $43,969, 40 graduates a year
- University of Nebraska at Omaha (Omaha, NE): $39,400, 24 graduates a year
- Berry College (Mount Berry, GA): $36,931, 30 graduates a year
- Howard University (Washington, DC): $25,878, 169 graduates a year
Compare 65 U.S. colleges offering Communication by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 30 states.
Communication programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,400 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 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 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,969 | 40 | 85% | — | $20,474 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,400 | 24 | 47% | — | $22,576 |
| 3 | Berry College Mount Berry, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,931 | 30 | 69% | $20,108 | $22,965 |
| 4 | Howard University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,878 | 169 | 70% | $48,194 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,040 | 18 | 88% | — | $22,250 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,582 | 1 | 86% | — | $26,500 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $39,582 | 33 | 34% | — | $26,500 |
| 8 | Benedictine College Atchison, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,238 | 10 | 62% | $24,826 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,828 | 13 | 58% | — | $19,362 |
| 10 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,024 | 14 | 25% | — | $25,964 |
| 11 | Malone University Canton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,204 | 6 | 45% | $21,492 | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA Public · Associate degree | $41,282 | 23 | 21% | — | $18,375 |
Specializations within Communication
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 09.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
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 |
| 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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,400, College Scorecard (2019); 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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