Tennessee · Communication and Media Studies

Best Communication and Media Studies institutions in Tennessee, ranked by earnings

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…

Institutions
24
offering CIP 09.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
829
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$27,380
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
12
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,418
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
55%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$60,960
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Belmont University
Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,8893071%$29,246$22,125
2The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,25824374%$20,875
3The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Chattanooga Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,08211150%$21,831
4Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,87711554%$24,329
5Carson - Newman University
Jefferson City Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$28,2211453%$19,537$20,235
6East Tennessee State University
Johnson City Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,3806953%$23,250
7Lee University
Cleveland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,365963%$18,918
8Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,053653%$14,286$21,625
9University of Memphis
Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree
$26,9227351%$23,381
10The University of Tennessee - Martin
Martin Public · Bachelor's degree
$26,8031853%$24,481

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.8%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~27,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$69,780
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingWritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Public Relations Specialists earn in Tennessee

Jobs in Tennessee
3,000
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$60,960
median $56,200
Best-paying metro
$64,350
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$60,960 avg · 3,000 jobs
Fundraisers
$53,920 avg · 2,340 jobs
Writers and Authors
$61,120 avg · 1,220 jobs
Editors
$60,610 avg · 960 jobs
Public Relations Managers
$121,610 avg · 860 jobs
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
$52,870 avg · 740 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in Tennessee.

Which Communication and Media Studies program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Belmont University tops the list at $41,889. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Tennessee?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Tennessee is $60,960 (median $56,200), across about 3,000 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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