Best institutions to study Mass Communication/Media Studies
A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture.
311 U.S. institutions graduated 8,696 Mass Communication/Media Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0102, a specialization of Communication and Media Studies (CIP 09.01), and leads most directly to the Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3041).
About Mass Communication/Media Studies programs
A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mass Communication/Media Studies program focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and texts, exploring how individuals experience and understand media content. This program is ideal for students interested in the roles of media in shaping culture and society, providing a comprehensive understanding of communications regulation, media history, and the social effects of mass media.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework often includes media aesthetics, cultural studies, and the economics of media industries, equipping graduates with a solid foundation in communications and media.
Credentials awarded
What Mass Communication/Media Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,874 graduates / yr · 252 institutions79%
- Master's degree1,074 graduates / yr · 52 institutions12%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year267 graduates / yr · 24 institutions3.1%
- Associate's degree256 graduates / yr · 26 institutions2.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship137 graduates / yr · 24 institutions1.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate81 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.9%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Mass Communication/Media Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 10,617 |
| 2013 | 10,744 |
| 2014 | 11,043 |
| 2015 | 11,345 |
| 2016 | 11,635 |
| 2017 | 11,249 |
| 2018 | 10,885 |
| 2019 | 10,835 |
| 2020 | 10,611 |
| 2021 | 9,991 |
| 2022 | 9,684 |
| 2023 | 8,887 |
| 2024 | 8,383 |
| 2025 | 8,696 |
Top 50 institutions for Mass Communication/Media Studies, 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 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 491 | 80% | — | $36,700 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 409 | 91% | — | $43,348 |
| 3 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 332 | 69% | — | $38,426 |
| 4 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 321 | 91% | — | — |
| 5 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 278 | 93% | — | $43,696 |
| 6 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 222 | 63% | — | $35,808 |
| 7 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 206 | 0% | — | $44,571 |
| 8 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 159 | 85% | — | $42,321 |
| 9 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 153 | 57% | — | $29,054 |
| 10 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 123 | 60% | $29,994 | $35,992 |
| 11 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor's | 121 | 57% | — | $28,985 |
| 12 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 116 | 69% | — | $34,028 |
| 13 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 114 | 79% | — | $35,586 |
| 14 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 113 | 74% | — | $41,258 |
| 15 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor's | 106 | 96% | — | $47,368 |
| 16 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 105 | 68% | $28,141 | $34,453 |
| 17 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 102 | 75% | — | $34,496 |
| 18 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 101 | 51% | — | $32,365 |
| 19 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster's | 89 | 74% | — | $36,424 |
| 20 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 79 | 55% | — | $37,386 |
| 21 | University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WAPublicBachelor's | 79 | 65% | — | $44,638 |
| 22 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 78 | 75% | $30,225 | $36,980 |
| 23 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FLPublicBachelor's | 78 | 59% | — | $30,850 |
| 24 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 75 | 77% | — | $34,530 |
| 25 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 75 | 51% | — | $26,922 |
| 26 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor's | 73 | 71% | — | — |
| 27 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 72 | 53% | — | $27,380 |
| 28 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 72 | 81% | $13,712 | $46,747 |
| 29 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 70 | 90% | — | $44,283 |
| 30 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 67 | 57% | — | $36,569 |
| 31 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 67 | 55% | — | $28,247 |
| 32 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 66 | 69% | $54,185 | $22,365 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 60 | 86% | — | $34,181 |
| 34 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicBachelor's | 60 | 51% | — | $26,748 |
| 35 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicBachelor's | 60 | 49% | — | $38,040 |
| 36 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 70% | — | $30,737 |
| 37 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor's | 58 | 56% | — | $30,559 |
| 38 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 56 | 80% | — | $34,959 |
| 39 | Virginia State University Petersburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 53 | 39% | — | $23,897 |
| 40 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 52 | 74% | — | $39,738 |
| 41 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NYPublicAssociate's | 52 | 25% | — | $26,437 |
| 42 | Iona University New Rochelle, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 52 | 56% | $27,660 | $29,911 |
| 43 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 52 | 60% | — | $38,747 |
| 44 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 53% | — | $33,906 |
| 45 | Denison University Granville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 50 | 79% | $23,864 | $47,396 |
| 46 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 54% | — | $29,877 |
| 47 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicBachelor's | 49 | 51% | — | $32,484 |
| 48 | Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NCPublicBachelor's | 49 | 47% | — | $24,899 |
| 49 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 47 | 65% | — | $38,125 |
| 50 | Grambling State University Grambling, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 36% | — | $27,375 |
* 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 48 states
Where Mass Communication/Media Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication and Media Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mass Communication/Media Studies program can pursue careers as editors, writers, public relations managers, and journalists. The job outlook shows little or no change in this field, with approximately 9,800 annual openings and a median wage of $75,260 for those holding a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0102
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editorsprimary SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | 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 |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional 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 Mass Communication/Media Studies 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
- 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.
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 an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an editor, writer, public relations manager, or journalist.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook indicates little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Mass Communication/Media Studies?+
Mass Communication/Media Studies is CIP 09.0102 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 analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.
How many institutions offer Mass Communication/Media Studies programs?+
311 U.S. institutions reported Mass Communication/Media Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 48 states, awarding 8,696 credentials in the year. That is 16.1% of all Communication and Media Studies graduates.
How much do Mass Communication/Media Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Editors occupation, which Mass Communication/Media Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Communication and Media Studies field report median earnings of $34,181 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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