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# Best Communication and Media Studies Programs in California

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Communication Colleges in California](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-california/)

This page ranks the 45 Communication and Media Studies programs in California by the median earnings of Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing, highest first. [Santa Clara University](/school/santa-clara-university/majors/) ranks 1st with median earnings of $84,206 four years after completing, followed by [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) at $75,864 and [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) at $75,612.

Across the 44 programs with a published figure, median earnings range from $84,206 to $33,043, with a median of $59,623. For 4 of the 45 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

The list includes 23 public and 22 private nonprofit institutions. San Diego Christian College reports the lowest average net price at $992.

University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and California State University-Stanislaus posts the highest admission rate, admitting 98% of applicants.

## The ranked list

45 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Santa Clara University · Santa Clara, CA | $84,206 | $50,062 | $22,985 | 48.0% |
|  | [Santa Clara University](/school/santa-clara-university/majors/) reports [$84,206 in median earnings](/school/santa-clara-university/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
| 2 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $75,864 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
|  | [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) [admits 10% of applicants](/school/university-of-southern-california/admissions/) and posts median earnings of $75,864 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $75,612 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
|  | A public university in Berkeley, [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) shows [median earnings of $75,612](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 4 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $75,223 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
|  | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) ranks 4th on this list, with a cohort of 77 graduates and [median earnings of $75,223](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
| 5 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $73,461 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
|  | [Chapman University](/school/chapman-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $33,559](/school/chapman-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $73,461 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $72,976 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
|  | [University of California-Santa Barbara](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/majors/) posts [median earnings of $72,976](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 582 graduates. |
| 7 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | $72,778 | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
|  | For its Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed, [University of California-Davis](/school/university-of-california-davis/majors/) reports [median federal debt of $13,000,](/school/university-of-california-davis/cost/) and its graduates earn a median of $72,778 four years after completing. |
| 8 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $69,144 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
|  | [Loyola Marymount University](/school/loyola-marymount-university/majors/) [ranks 931st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/loyola-marymount-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Communication and Media Studies graduates earn a median of $69,144 four years after completing. |
| 9 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $68,913 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
|  | [University of San Diego](/school/university-of-san-diego/majors/) reports [median earnings of $68,913](/school/university-of-san-diego/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 52%. |
| 10 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $68,833 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
|  | [Sonoma State University](/school/sonoma-state-university/majors/) [admits 93% of applicants](/school/sonoma-state-university/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $8,310 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 11 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $68,592 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
|  | [University of San Francisco](/school/university-of-san-francisco/majors/) reports [median federal debt of $21,875](/school/university-of-san-francisco/cost/) among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed, and its graduates earn a median of $68,592 four years after completing. |
| 12 | Woodbury University · Burbank, CA | $68,020 | $33,692 | $28,815 | 81.7% |
|  | [Woodbury University](/school/woodbury-university/majors/) reports [median federal debt of $26,960](/school/woodbury-university/cost/) across all of the school's borrowers who completed, and its Communication and Media Studies graduates earn a median of $68,020 four years after completing. |
| 13 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $67,302 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
|  | [University of California-San Diego](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) reports [$67,302 in median earnings](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/outcomes/) of Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing and carries a median federal debt of $13,193 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 14 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $66,891 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 71%](/school/university-of-la-verne/admissions/), [University of La Verne](/school/university-of-la-verne/majors/) ranks 14th on this list and posts median earnings of $66,891 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 15 | Saint Mary's College of California · Moraga, CA | $64,456 | $30,378 | $19,462 | 86.5% |
|  | Saint Mary's College of California posts median earnings of $64,456 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $30,378. |
| 16 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $63,731 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
|  | [San Francisco State University](/school/san-francisco-state-university/majors/) [ranks 51st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/san-francisco-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a median federal debt of $13,703 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 17 | Westmont College · Santa Barbara, CA | $62,535 | $29,053 | $20,899 | 77.1% |
|  | Westmont College admits 77% of applicants and reports $62,535 in median earnings for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 18 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | $61,653 | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
|  | [California Lutheran University](/school/california-lutheran-university/majors/) has an [average net price of $30,109](/school/california-lutheran-university/cost/) and a median federal debt of $20,802 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 19 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $61,389 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
|  | [San Diego State University](/school/san-diego-state-university/majors/) reports [$61,389 in median earnings](/school/san-diego-state-university/outcomes/) of Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing and ranks 36th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 20 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $60,883 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
|  | [California Baptist University](/school/california-baptist-university/majors/) ranks 20th on this list, with a [median federal debt of $25,000](/school/california-baptist-university/cost/) among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 21 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | $60,666 | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
|  | [University of the Pacific](/school/university-of-the-pacific/majors/) posts [median earnings of $60,666](/school/university-of-the-pacific/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing and admits 71% of applicants. |
| 22 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $59,842 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
|  | [California State University-San Marcos](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/majors/) carries an [average net price of $10,229](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/cost/) and reports $59,842 in median earnings of Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 23 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $59,404 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
|  | Reporting a [median federal debt of $15,000](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/cost/) among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed, [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 24 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $59,332 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
|  | [California State University-Channel Islands](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/majors/) [admits 95% of applicants](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/admissions/) and reports $59,332 in median earnings for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 25 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $58,391 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
|  | Median earnings of $58,391 for Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing are reported by [California State University-Chico](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/), which also lists an [average net price of $14,480](/school/california-state-university-chico/cost/). |
| 26 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $58,137 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
|  | An [admission rate of 46%](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/admissions/) and a median federal debt of $13,766 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed accompany [California State University-Long Beach](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/majors/)'s 26th position on this list. |
| 27 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $58,082 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
|  | [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) shows a [median federal debt of $13,000](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/cost/) among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed, with median earnings of $58,082 four years after completing. |
| 28 | Dominican University of California · San Rafael, CA | No published median | $35,333 | $24,572 | 83.5% |
|  | Dominican University of California, a private nonprofit university in San Rafael, carries an average net price of $35,333 and a school-wide median federal debt of $27,000 across all of its borrowers who completed. |
| 29 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $57,708 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
|  | [California State University-East Bay](/school/california-state-university-east-bay/majors/) [admits 97% of applicants](/school/california-state-university-east-bay/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $57,708 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 30 | The Master's University and Seminary · Santa Clarita, CA | $57,507 | $32,647 | $24,624 | 84.0% |
|  | The Master's University and Seminary lists an average net price of $24,624 for families earning under $30,000 and a median federal debt of $22,250 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 31 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $57,478 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
|  | [California State University-Dominguez Hills](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/majors/) [ranks 46th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $57,478 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 32 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $57,138 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
|  | With an [average net price of $7,021,](/school/california-state-university-northridge/cost/) [California State University-Northridge](/school/california-state-university-northridge/majors/) posts a median federal debt of $13,999 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 33 | San Diego Christian College · Santee, CA | $56,685 | $992 | $992 | 30.8% |
|  | San Diego Christian College carries the lowest average net price on the page at $992 and admits 31% of applicants. |
| 34 | Concordia University-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $56,388 | $28,115 | $25,431 | 66.0% |
|  | Concordia University-Irvine reports median earnings of $56,388 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $25,431 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 35 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $56,278 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
|  | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/majors/) [ranks 15th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a median federal debt of $14,725 among Communication and Media Studies completers who borrowed. |
| 36 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $54,007 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
|  | An [admission rate of 98%](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/admissions/) applies to [California State University-Stanislaus](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/majors/), which reports median earnings of $54,007 for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 37 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $53,781 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
|  | [Biola University](/school/biola-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,781](/school/biola-university/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $31,495. |
| 38 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $51,788 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
|  | A public university in Fresno, [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/) [admits 95% of applicants](/school/california-state-university-fresno/admissions/) and its Communication and Media Studies graduates earn a median of $51,788 four years after completing. |
| 39 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $50,989 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $16,600](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/outcomes/) in federal loans school-wide at [California State University-Bakersfield](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/majors/), which ranks 89th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 40 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $49,171 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
|  | [California State University-San Bernardino](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/majors/) ranks 40th on this list and posts an [average net price of $2,681](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 41 | Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA | $47,092 | $38,729 | $30,999 | 83.7% |
|  | With a 22-graduate earnings cohort, [Point Loma Nazarene University](/school/point-loma-nazarene-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $47,092](/school/point-loma-nazarene-university/outcomes/) for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 42 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $41,286 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
|  | [San Jose State University](/school/san-jose-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $13,760](/school/san-jose-state-university/cost/) and a median of $41,286 in earnings for its Communication and Media Studies graduates four years after completing. |
| 43 | Pepperdine University · Malibu, CA | $39,369 | $58,098 | $50,560 | 62.9% |
|  | [Pepperdine University](/school/pepperdine-university/majors/) [admits 63% of applicants](/school/pepperdine-university/admissions/) and its Communication and Media Studies graduates earn a median of $39,369 four years after completing. |
| 44 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $34,526 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
|  | [Azusa Pacific University](/school/azusa-pacific-university/majors/) [ranks 481st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/azusa-pacific-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $22,212. |
| 45 | Vanguard University of Southern California · Costa Mesa, CA | $33,043 | $21,241 | $17,225 | 62.4% |
|  | The Communication and Media Studies program at [Vanguard University of Southern California](/school/vanguard-university-of-southern-california/majors/) reports [median earnings of $33,043](/school/vanguard-university-of-southern-california/outcomes/) four years after completing, with an average net price of $17,225 for families earning under $30,000. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Communication, General graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in California appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 4 of the 45 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 44 schools with a published figure. Santa Clara University leads the list at $84,206, and the gap to second-ranked University of Southern California is $8,342.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Communication Colleges in California](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-california/)