Best institutions to study Communication
A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric.
375 U.S. institutions graduated 11,464 Communication students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0100, a specialization of Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01), and leads most directly to the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 27-3031).
About Communication programs
A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. Includes instruction in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication; theories of communication; critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion; written communication; printed, electronic, and digital media; rhetorical tradition and criticism; media, society, and culture; consequences and effects of mass media; media social science and criticism; and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Communication program, part of Communication and Media Studies, offers a comprehensive study of communication across various mediums and contexts. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the dynamics of mass communication, media technologies, and the social and political implications of communication practices.
Students will gain core skills in interpersonal, group, and organizational communication, as well as critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasive writing. Coursework includes the study of media, society, and culture, along with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Credentials awarded
What Communication graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree9,370 graduates / yr · 300 institutions82%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year782 graduates / yr · 19 institutions6.8%
- Master's degree725 graduates / yr · 63 institutions6.3%
- Associate's degree499 graduates / yr · 49 institutions4.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate42 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship38 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.3%
- Post-master's certificate6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Communication completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,351 |
| 2013 | 7,651 |
| 2014 | 8,696 |
| 2015 | 9,160 |
| 2016 | 10,126 |
| 2017 | 10,908 |
| 2018 | 11,049 |
| 2019 | 11,693 |
| 2020 | 11,349 |
| 2021 | 11,424 |
| 2022 | 11,645 |
| 2023 | 10,751 |
| 2024 | 10,773 |
| 2025 | 11,464 |
Top 50 institutions for Communication, 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 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoral | 730 | 84% | — | $43,295 |
| 2 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 618 | 83% | — | $46,598 |
| 3 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 293 | 65% | — | $43,801 |
| 4 | Ensign College Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor's | 292 | 43% | $11,149 | — |
| 5 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 284 | 80% | $35,682 | $43,740 |
| 6 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 265 | 86% | — | $42,569 |
| 7 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 239 | 86% | — | $33,046 |
| 8 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 231 | 21% | $15,478 | $47,919 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 230 | 53% | — | $34,314 |
| 10 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 225 | 93% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 199 | 85% | — | $37,808 |
| 12 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 182 | 83% | — | $36,380 |
| 13 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 180 | 65% | $28,911 | $35,392 |
| 14 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 180 | 83% | — | $41,409 |
| 15 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 175 | 55% | $6,760 | $36,941 |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 162 | 54% | — | $32,990 |
| 17 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 149 | 89% | $20,914 | $42,055 |
| 18 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicBachelor's | 146 | 69% | — | $36,842 |
| 19 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 141 | 80% | $33,867 | $41,818 |
| 20 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 135 | 47% | — | $37,002 |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 126 | 59% | — | $39,367 |
| 22 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 122 | 64% | — | $35,804 |
| 23 | Southeast Arkansas College Pine Bluff, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 121 | 28% | — | — |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPublicBachelor's | 117 | 50% | — | $33,082 |
| 25 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 107 | 82% | $38,931 | $46,405 |
| 26 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 103 | 43% | $21,535 | $38,507 |
| 27 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster's | 100 | 60% | — | $34,963 |
| 28 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 93 | 72% | — | $36,367 |
| 29 | High Point University High Point, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 90 | 74% | $37,072 | — |
| 30 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 88 | 69% | — | $42,657 |
| 31 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 83 | 64% | $33,070 | $32,804 |
| 32 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 81 | 24% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 81 | 62% | — | $38,912 |
| 34 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 78 | 84% | $26,035 | $40,776 |
| 35 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 78 | 95% | $17,613 | $62,182 |
| 36 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 76 | 70% | $33,877 | $29,527 |
| 37 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 75 | 58% | — | $37,795 |
| 38 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJPublicBachelor's | 74 | 86% | — | $37,151 |
| 39 | CUNY City College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 73 | 57% | — | $42,734 |
| 40 | Rollins College Winter Park, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 66 | 75% | $31,438 | $36,285 |
| 41 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 64 | 32% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicBachelor's | 63 | 57% | — | $32,809 |
| 43 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 63 | 66% | — | $35,840 |
| 44 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 62 | 47% | — | $37,778 |
| 45 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor's | 61 | 68% | — | $34,683 |
| 46 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 61 | 59% | — | $37,574 |
| 47 | John Paul the Great Catholic University Escondido, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 61 | 64% | $28,763 | — |
| 48 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 59 | 33% | — | $34,123 |
| 49 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 58 | 49% | — | $42,480 |
| 50 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 89% | $21,956 | $47,349 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Communication and Media Studies field (CIP 09.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Communication graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication and Media Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Communication program can pursue careers as Public Relations Specialists, Writers, and Editors, among others. The job outlook for communication-related occupations is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 4.8% and approximately 27,600 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $69,780, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0100
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 |
Fundraisers SOC 13-1131 | $72,550 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~10,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Editors SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Public Relations Managers SOC 11-2032 | $146,910 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~6,600 | Bachelor's degree |
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists SOC 27-3023 | $62,200 | -3.9% Decline | ~4,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Fundraising Managers SOC 11-2033 | $125,470 | +4.2% About as fast as average | ~3,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys SOC 27-3011 | $47,340 | -5.5% Decline | ~2,300 | 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 Communication 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 Communication and Media Studies specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and media communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Possible careers include Public Relations Specialists, Writers, Fundraisers, and Editors.
What is the job outlook for communication graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8% and 27,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Communication?+
Communication is CIP 09.0100 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. Includes instruction in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication; theories of communication; critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion; written communication; printed, electronic, and digital media; rhetorical tradition and criticism; media, society, and culture; consequences and effects of mass media; media social science and criticism; and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.
How many institutions offer Communication programs?+
375 U.S. institutions reported Communication graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 11,464 credentials in the year. That is 21.3% of all Communication and Media Studies graduates.
How much do Communication graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Public Relations Specialists occupation, which Communication most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Communication and Media Studies field report median earnings of $35,147 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.
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