Best colleges for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Any instructional program in communication, journalism, and related fields not listed above.
65 U.S. institutions graduated 1,250 Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.9999, a specialization of Communication (CIP 09.99), and leads most directly to the Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3041).
About Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs programs
Any instructional program in communication, journalism, and related fields not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Communication program, officially titled 'Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other,' is designed for students interested in exploring various facets of communication and media. This program encompasses a broad range of instructional content not specifically categorized elsewhere, making it ideal for those seeking a flexible education in communication fields. Students in this program will engage with diverse topics related to communication, journalism, and media, preparing them for a variety of roles in the industry. With 65 colleges offering this program across the U.S., it caters to approximately 1,250 graduates each year, providing a pathway for individuals passionate about effective communication and storytelling.
Learn more about Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs →
Core coursework in the Communication program emphasizes essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Students will also gain knowledge in English language, communications and media, and administrative management, equipping them with the tools needed for success in various communication roles.
Credentials awarded
What Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree769 graduates / yr · 42 institutions62%
- Master's degree383 graduates / yr · 12 institutions31%
- Associate's degree78 graduates / yr · 8 institutions6.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate10 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.4%
Graduates over time
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,616 |
| 2013 | 2,045 |
| 2014 | 2,284 |
| 2015 | 2,355 |
| 2016 | 2,331 |
| 2017 | 2,263 |
| 2018 | 1,897 |
| 2019 | 1,753 |
| 2020 | 1,228 |
| 2021 | 1,114 |
| 2022 | 1,331 |
| 2023 | 1,228 |
| 2024 | 1,070 |
| 2025 | 1,250 |
Top 50 institutions for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 182 | 80% | — | — |
| 2 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 169 | 70% | $48,194 | $25,878 |
| 3 | High Point University High Point, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 148 | 74% | $37,072 | — |
| 4 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 99 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 5 | Norfolk State University Norfolk, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 64 | 38% | — | — |
| 6 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 44 | 86% | $30,006 | — |
| 7 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 40 | 85% | — | $43,969 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 33 | 34% | — | $39,582 |
| 9 | Berry College Mount Berry, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 30 | 69% | $20,108 | $36,931 |
| 10 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 29 | 56% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor's | 24 | 47% | — | $39,400 |
| 12 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 13 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PAPublicAssociate's | 23 | 21% | — | $41,282 |
| 14 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 18 | 45% | — | — |
| 15 | Ohio State University Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 18 | 88% | — | $41,040 |
| 16 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate's | 17 | 40% | — | — |
| 17 | Bowie State University Bowie, MDPublicMaster's | 17 | 38% | — | — |
| 18 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicBachelor's | 16 | 45% | — | — |
| 19 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 16 | 64% | — | — |
| 20 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GAPublicBachelor's | 14 | 25% | — | $28,024 |
| 21 | Miles College Fairfield, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 16% | $16,735 | — |
| 22 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TNPublicBachelor's | 13 | 58% | — | $28,828 |
| 23 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 58% | — | — |
| 24 | Harford Community College Bel Air, MDPublicAssociate's | 11 | 39% | — | — |
| 25 | Benedictine College Atchison, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 62% | $24,826 | $30,238 |
| 26 | Immaculata University Immaculata, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 10 | 71% | $26,941 | — |
| 27 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 28 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicBachelor's | 9 | 40% | — | — |
| 29 | Keystone College La Plume, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 36% | $23,598 | — |
| 30 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, ARPublicMaster's | 8 | 42% | — | — |
| 31 | Dominican University of California San Rafael, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 78% | $48,448 | — |
| 32 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster's | 7 | 68% | — | — |
| 33 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 66% | $18,163 | — |
| 34 | Fairmont State University Fairmont, WVPublicBachelor's | 7 | 44% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MNPublicBachelor's | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 36 | Malone University Canton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 45% | $21,492 | $26,204 |
| 37 | Thiel College Greenville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 49% | $22,464 | — |
| 38 | Bob Jones University Greenville, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 65% | $18,053 | — |
| 39 | Newberry College Newberry, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 45% | $20,306 | — |
| 40 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 41 | Quincy University Quincy, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 45% | $17,003 | — |
| 42 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 43 | Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OKPublicBachelor's | 5 | 30% | — | — |
| 44 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 4 | 61% | — | — |
| 45 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 75% | $30,225 | — |
| 46 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 35% | $21,085 | — |
| 47 | Delaware County Community College Media, PAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 24% | — | — |
| 48 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 44% | $32,163 | — |
| 49 | Prince George's Community College Largo, MDPublicAssociate's | 3 | 18% | — | — |
| 50 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 49% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Communication field (CIP 09.99) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 30 states
Where Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs graduates come from. Each state links to all Communication programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Communication program can pursue careers as editors, writers, and communications teachers, among others. The job outlook for these roles shows little or no change, with approximately 9,800 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is around $75,260, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level opportunities.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.9999
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 |
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 Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 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
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in the Communication program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, active listening, and more.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Communication?+
You can work as an editor, writer, or communications teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for Communication graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs?+
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs is CIP 09.9999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Communication (CIP 09.99). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in communication, journalism, and related fields not listed above.
How many institutions offer Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs programs?+
65 U.S. institutions reported Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 30 states, awarding 1,250 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Communication graduates.
How much do Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Editors occupation, which Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Communication field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,400, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Communication graduates, so its figures match the Communication program page.
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