Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies in West Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
West Virginia University, Shepherd University and Marshall University award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees and certificates in West Virginia: 67, 17 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 West Virginia colleges offer Communication and Media Studies and award 210 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 2 institutions, 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 | West Virginia State University Institute Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,351 | 12 | 39% | — | $30,788 |
| 2 | Shepherd University Shepherdstown Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,653 | 17 | 51% | — | $19,558 |
Colleges awarding the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in West Virginia
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public | 67 | Not reported |
| 2 | Shepherd University Shepherdstown Public | 17 | $23,653 |
| 3 | Marshall University Huntington Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 4 | West Virginia State University Institute Public | 12 | $26,351 |
| 5 | Concord University Athens Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | West Liberty University West Liberty Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 7 | Bethany College Bethany Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Martinsburg Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 West Virginia colleges offering Communication and Media Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System (Online) | Charles Town | Private for-profit | 77 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031).
Top skills
What Public Relations Specialists earn in West Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in West Virginia.
Which West Virginia colleges award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees?+
West Virginia University (67 graduates a year), Shepherd University (17 graduates a year) and Marshall University (13 graduates a year) award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees and certificates in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 West Virginia colleges offer Communication and Media Studies.
How much do Public Relations Specialists earn in West Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in West Virginia is $64,450 (median $56,730), across about 350 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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