Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Communication and Media Studies by graduate earnings are California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($62,183), Cornell University ($62,182) and Boston College ($55,162), 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%.
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $62,183, 104 graduates a year
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $62,182, 78 graduates a year
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): $55,162, 202 graduates a year
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA): $53,022, 72 graduates a year
- Villanova University (Villanova, PA): $52,294, 153 graduates a year
Compare 1,255 U.S. colleges offering Communication and Media Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Communication and Media Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,654 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 09.01 and the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Communication and Media Studies programs
The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students interested in understanding communication dynamics in interpersonal relationships, social interactions, and diverse cultural contexts.
Students will develop essential skills such as active listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework typically covers topics in communications and media, English language, and administration, equipping students with the knowledge needed to navigate the modern communication landscape effectively.
Top 25 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 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,183 | 104 | 86% | — | $14,928 |
| 2 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,182 | 78 | 95% | $17,613 | $14,418 |
| 3 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,162 | 202 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,500 |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,022 | 72 | 97% | $22,055 | $15,637 |
| 5 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,294 | 153 | 92% | $33,774 | $26,456 |
| 6 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,210 | 84 | 95% | $14,799 | $18,112 |
| 7 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,720 | 103 | 88% | $44,094 | $18,500 |
| 8 | Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,750 | 27 | 77% | $22,374 | $27,000 |
| 9 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,556 | 220 | 93% | — | $20,376 |
| 10 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,552 | 34 | 84% | $29,789 | $25,000 |
| 11 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,074 | 26 | 77% | $21,607 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,398 | 22 | 83% | $41,986 | $19,667 |
| 13 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,651 | 440 | 92% | $26,873 | $17,702 |
| 14 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,465 | 153 | 91% | $18,925 | $23,250 |
| 15 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,465 | 39 | — | — | $23,250 |
| 16 | Denison University Granville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,396 | 50 | 79% | $23,864 | $25,187 |
| 17 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,368 | 112 | 96% | — | $21,230 |
| 18 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,349 | 55 | 89% | $21,956 | $25,108 |
| 19 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,747 | 72 | 81% | $13,712 | $22,530 |
| 20 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,677 | 75 | 84% | $36,845 | $27,000 |
| 21 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,598 | 618 | 83% | — | $13,018 |
| 22 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,405 | 116 | 82% | $38,931 | $25,700 |
| 23 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,320 | 28 | 44% | — | $34,933 |
| 24 | The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,203 | 31 | 40% | — | $22,852 |
| 25 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,009 | 117 | 75% | — | $25,000 |
Specializations within Communication and Media Studies
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 09.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Speech Communication and RhetoricCIP 09.010131,248 graduates / yr718 institutions54 states
- CommunicationCIP 09.010011,464 graduates / yr375 institutions49 states
- Mass Communication/CIP 09.0102
Media Studies 8,696 graduates / yr311 institutions48 states - Communication and Media StudiesCIP 09.01992,448 graduates / yr128 institutions39 states
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Communication and Media Studies program can pursue various careers in fields such as public relations, media, and corporate communication. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.8% and approximately 27,600 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is around $69,780, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Communication and Media Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 09.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 09.01 (Communication and Media Studies) 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 |
| 25-1122 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3011 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys |
| 27-3023 | News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists |
| 27-3031 | Public Relations Specialistsprimary |
| 27-3041 | Editors |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
| 27-3099 | Media and Communication Workers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Communication and Media Studies 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 can I do with a degree in Communication and Media Studies?+
Graduates can work in public relations, media, corporate communication, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
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 level of education is typically required?+
Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree.
How much do Communication and Media Studies graduates earn?+
Communication and Media Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,654, 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 Communication and Media Studies?+
Communication and Media Studies maps to CIP 09.01 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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