Best institutions to study Sports Communication
A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for communicating about sports in a variety of formats, media, and contexts; and that prepares individuals to be sports reporters and writers, photojournalists, radio and television announcers, producers and directors, recreational sports promoters, and public relations specialists.
88 U.S. institutions graduated 1,470 Sports Communication students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0906, a specialization of Public Relations (CIP 09.09), and leads most directly to the Public Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 27-3031).
About Sports Communication programs
A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for communicating about sports in a variety of formats, media, and contexts; and that prepares individuals to be sports reporters and writers, photojournalists, radio and television announcers, producers and directors, recreational sports promoters, and public relations specialists. Includes instruction in sports writing, photography, broadcast journalism, sports production, game rules, media and public relations, and sports promotion.
See also: 31.0504 - Sport and Fitness Administration/Management., 31.0508 - Sports Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sports Communication program, a specialization within Public Relations, focuses on the techniques and methods for effectively communicating about sports across various media formats. This program is designed for individuals aspiring to become sports reporters, public relations specialists, and other roles within the sports industry.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in sports writing, photography, broadcast journalism, and media relations. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, communication strategies, and an understanding of game rules and sports promotion.
Credentials awarded
What Sports Communication graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree942 graduates / yr · 61 institutions64%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year388 graduates / yr · 21 institutions26%
- Master's degree98 graduates / yr · 6 institutions6.7%
- Associate's degree20 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate20 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Sports Communication completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 64 |
| 2013 | 98 |
| 2014 | 123 |
| 2015 | 137 |
| 2016 | 192 |
| 2017 | 373 |
| 2018 | 415 |
| 2019 | 450 |
| 2020 | 545 |
| 2021 | 704 |
| 2022 | 911 |
| 2023 | 1,120 |
| 2024 | 1,148 |
| 2025 | 1,470 |
Top 50 institutions for Sports 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 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 155 | 68% | — | $31,093 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 131 | 90% | — | — |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 122 | 69% | — | $41,023 |
| 4 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 108 | 44% | $32,163 | $26,728 |
| 5 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 90 | 67% | — | $35,116 |
| 6 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 69 | 67% | — | $42,168 |
| 7 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 53 | 65% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 44 | 73% | — | $42,181 |
| 9 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 90% | — | $45,326 |
| 10 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 37 | 80% | $35,696 | $39,701 |
| 11 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 36 | 76% | $28,970 | $39,446 |
| 12 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor's | 35 | 87% | — | $43,318 |
| 13 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 32 | 77% | $40,982 | $28,606 |
| 14 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 28 | 68% | — | $34,752 |
| 15 | St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 67% | $23,352 | — |
| 16 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 73% | $42,705 | — |
| 17 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 68% | $28,141 | $41,234 |
| 18 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 19 | 80% | — | $50,700 |
| 19 | High Point University High Point, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 74% | $37,072 | — |
| 20 | Illinois Media School Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 80% | $30,188 | $21,902 |
| 21 | Bradley University Peoria, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 76% | $21,768 | $38,351 |
| 22 | Siena University Loudonville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 75% | $30,138 | — |
| 23 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 75% | — | $41,165 |
| 24 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 71% | — | $45,275 |
| 25 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 61% | $23,844 | $38,600 |
| 26 | Husson University Bangor, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 59% | $18,839 | $32,714 |
| 27 | Franklin Pierce University Rindge, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 54% | $26,344 | — |
| 28 | Wingate University Wingate, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 46% | $21,585 | $40,438 |
| 29 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 82% | $23,620 | $36,632 |
| 30 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 63% | $19,439 | — |
| 31 | Franklin College Franklin, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 60% | $22,055 | $36,964 |
| 32 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 10 | 47% | — | $38,375 |
| 33 | Iona University New Rochelle, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 56% | $27,660 | — |
| 34 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster's | 9 | 54% | — | — |
| 35 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 60% | — | — |
| 36 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 66% | $24,175 | — |
| 37 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 84% | $36,845 | — |
| 38 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 77% | $32,060 | $39,651 |
| 39 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 59% | $23,704 | $32,495 |
| 40 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 7 | 79% | — | $42,974 |
| 41 | Colorado Media School Denver, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 71% | $30,942 | $15,718 |
| 42 | Illinois Media School - Chicago Campus Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 61% | $25,472 | $21,902 |
| 43 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 64% | $19,593 | — |
| 44 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 45 | Waynesburg University Waynesburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 66% | $24,453 | — |
| 46 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 46% | — | $46,039 |
| 47 | Miami Media School Doral, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 65% | $31,195 | $14,229 |
| 48 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 61% | — | $36,920 |
| 49 | Piedmont University Demorest, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 47% | $20,049 | — |
| 50 | Albion College Albion, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 62% | $16,537 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Relations field (CIP 09.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 34 states
Where Sports Communication graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Relations programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3031, Public Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Sports Communication program can pursue careers as Public Relations Specialists, News Analysts, and Broadcast Announcers. With an average growth rate of 4.8% and about 27,600 annual job openings, the median wage for these professionals is approximately $69,780, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0906
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 |
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other SOC 27-2099 | — | +6.0% Faster than average | ~4,400 | No formal educational credential |
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 |
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys SOC 27-3011 | $47,340 | -5.5% Decline | ~2,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes SOC 13-1011 | $82,890 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~2,200 | 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 Sports 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 Public Relations specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Relations (CIP 09.09).
- AdvertisingCIP 09.09034,542 graduates / yr90 institutions
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09004,140 graduates / yr164 institutions
- Public Relations/CIP 09.0902
Image Management 4,001 graduates / yr144 institutions - Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsCIP 09.09092,014 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Organizational CommunicationCIP 09.09011,805 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09991,142 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Health CommunicationCIP 09.0905361 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Political CommunicationCIP 09.0904partial data190 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Technical and Scientific CommunicationCIP 09.0908168 graduates / yr25 institutions
- International and Intercultural CommunicationCIP 09.0907157 graduates / yr17 institutions
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in Sports Communication?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, a Master's degree, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and media relations.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Sports Communication?+
You can work as a Public Relations Specialist, News Analyst, or Broadcast Announcer, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a median wage of $69,780 and approximately 27,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Sports Communication?+
Sports Communication is CIP 09.0906 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Relations (CIP 09.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for communicating about sports in a variety of formats, media, and contexts; and that prepares individuals to be sports reporters and writers, photojournalists, radio and television announcers, producers and directors, recreational sports promoters, and public relations specialists. Includes instruction in sports writing, photography, broadcast journalism, sports production, game rules, media and public relations, and sports promotion.
How many institutions offer Sports Communication programs?+
88 U.S. institutions reported Sports Communication graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 34 states, awarding 1,470 credentials in the year. That is 7.4% of all Public Relations graduates.
How much do Sports Communication graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Public Relations Specialists occupation, which Sports Communication most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Relations field report median earnings of $38,351 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card