Virginia · Communication and Media Studies

Best Communication and Media Studies institutions in Virginia, 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
28
offering CIP 09.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,999
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$36,953
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
14
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,057
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Public Relations Specialists
$86,160
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
1University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,36812696%$21,230
2Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,30926186%$20,613
3James Madison University
Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,76944280%$21,502
4Randolph - Macon College
Ashland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,3282370%$26,498$27,000
5Radford University
Radford Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,0384149%$25,250
6Christopher Newport University
Newport News Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,95310272%$25,000
7Roanoke College
Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,2201467%$24,604$26,975
8Longwood University
Farmville Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,0624561%$26,000
9Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,80820263%$24,000
10Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,39230565%$28,911$23,250

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 Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
9,580
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$86,160
median $77,800
Best-paying metro
$80,290
Charlottesville, VA

Related careers

Public Relations Specialists
$86,160 avg · 9,580 jobs
Fundraisers
$75,150 avg · 3,520 jobs
Editors
$85,890 avg · 3,150 jobs
Writers and Authors
$87,920 avg · 1,630 jobs
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$74,500 avg · 1,380 jobs
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
$86,130 avg · 710 jobs

Common questions

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

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Virginia - Main Campus tops the list at $47,368. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Virginia is $86,160 (median $77,800), across about 9,580 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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