Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Roger Williams University are the top bachelor's Communication and Media Studies programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. University of Rhode Island leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,785, College Scorecard. University of Rhode Island, Brown University and Rhode Island College award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Rhode Island: 185, 31 and 23 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Rhode Island colleges offer Communication and Media Studies and award 307 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,785 | 185 | 73% | — | $24,887 |
| 2 | Rhode Island College Providence Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,357 | 23 | 48% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,596 | 21 | 69% | $34,648 | $26,000 |
| 4 | Brown University Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,738 | 31 | 96% | $14,644 | $10,500 |
| 5 | Bryant University Smithfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,071 | 13 | 80% | $38,485 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,230 | 14 | 77% | $31,899 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,062 | 11 | 55% | $31,634 | $25,125 |
Colleges awarding the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Rhode Island
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public | 185 | $36,785 |
| 2 | Brown University Providence Private not-for-profit | 31 | $23,738 |
| 3 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 23 | $34,357 |
| 4 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 21 | $33,596 |
| 5 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit | 14 | $33,230 |
| 6 | Bryant University Smithfield Private not-for-profit | 13 | $45,071 |
| 7 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence Private not-for-profit | 11 | $28,062 |
ShowHide the other 2 Rhode Island colleges offering Communication and Media Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Public | 7 |
| Johnson & Wales University - Online (Online) | Providence | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees?+
University of Rhode Island (185 graduates a year), Brown University (31 graduates a year) and Rhode Island College (23 graduates a year) award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Rhode Island colleges offer Communication and Media Studies.
What is the best college for Communication and Media Studies in Rhode Island?+
By graduate earnings, University of Rhode Island leads among bachelor's Communication and Media Studies programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,785, College Scorecard. Rhode Island College and Roger Williams University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Rhode Island is the largest, with 185 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Communication and Media Studies program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Rhode Island tops the list at $36,785. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Rhode Island?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Rhode Island is $84,730 (median $77,540), across about 1,140 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Communication and Media Studies program?+
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…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Public Relations Specialists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.8% growth with around 27,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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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