Best Colleges for Communication and Media Studies 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Communication and Media Studies Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $80,616 | $66,014 | 8% | 15,935 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | $77,464 | $66,104 | 6% | 10,768 |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | $77,066 | $65,997 | 7% | 8,960 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | $76,374 | $45,627 | 12% | 33,073 |
| 5 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | $71,818 | $59,241 | 44% | 6,235 |
| 6 | Boston University Boston, MA | $69,156 | $65,168 | 11% | 17,850 |
| 7 | University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA | $68,510 | $58,014 | 17% | 17,315 |
| 8 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $67,761 | $63,141 | 10% | 15,719 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA | $67,761 | N/A | N/A | 1,674 |
| 10 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | $66,507 | $58,072 | 18% | 33,488 |
| 11 | George Washington University Washington, DC | $65,477 | $64,990 | 44% | 10,848 |
| 12 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | $65,184 | $67,680 | 16% | 9,865 |
| 13 | Roger Williams University Bristol, RI | $64,953 | $42,666 | 88% | 3,957 |
| 14 | American University Washington, DC | $64,488 | $56,543 | 47% | 7,593 |
| 15 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD | $63,691 | $40,306 | 45% | 30,246 |
| 16 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CT | $63,356 | $56,360 | 45% | 4,938 |
| 17 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | $63,317 | $68,237 | 10% | 20,817 |
| 18 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ | $63,294 | $41,095 | 86% | 40,769 |
| 19 | St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, NY | $62,832 | $37,720 | 82% | 1,009 |
| 20 | Seattle University Seattle, WA | $62,478 | $54,285 | 76% | 4,117 |
Communications is an interdisciplinary major covering media studies, journalism, public relations, advertising, organizational communication, and digital media. Students develop skills in writing, storytelling, audience analysis, strategic messaging, and media production. The major is broad by design, preparing graduates to navigate careers that require both creative and analytical thinking about how information is created, distributed, and received.
Common career paths include public relations specialist ($50,000–$80,000), digital marketing manager, journalist, content strategist, social media manager, corporate communications director, and broadcast media professional. Communications graduates work at advertising agencies, public relations firms, media companies, corporations, nonprofits, and political campaigns. With experience, senior roles in corporate communications and marketing leadership can exceed $120,000.
Strong communications programs offer hands-on production labs, journalism studios, and real-world project experience including student newspapers, radio stations, and PR practicum courses. Look for programs with industry accreditation from ACEJMC (for journalism), active internship placement networks in media markets like New York, Los Angeles, or Washington D.C., and curriculum that addresses digital and social media alongside traditional communications theory. Earnings data matters especially for communications programs because outcomes vary widely: the rankings on this page use verified graduate data to identify schools whose graduates earn the most.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Explore All Communication and Media Studies Programs
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Communications program?
Prioritize programs with hands-on production facilities (broadcast studios, newsrooms, PR simulation labs), strong internship networks in major media markets, and curriculum that covers both digital and traditional communications. ACEJMC accreditation is a meaningful quality signal for journalism-focused programs. Alumni connections at PR firms, media companies, and marketing agencies are highly valuable.
What careers can I pursue with a Communications degree?
Communications graduates work in public relations, digital marketing, journalism, content strategy, advertising, social media management, corporate communications, event planning, and broadcasting. The degree is also a common pathway into law, business, and politics. Roles exist across virtually every industry, from entertainment and media to technology, finance, and government.
How much do Communications graduates earn?
Communications graduates typically start at $40,000–$60,000, with public relations and corporate communications roles on the higher end. Senior marketing and communications directors at major corporations can earn $100,000–$150,000. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, market, and employer. The data on this page reflects actual graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.