Best Communication Colleges in California (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 50 schools in California that offer a Communication program, ordered by median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing. Santa Clara University leads at $84,206, followed by University of Southern California at $78,471 and Chapman University at $75,955.
Across the 44 schools with a published figure, median earnings reach $58,906 and span from $84,206 to $33,043, a spread of $51,163. For 3 of the 50 listed schools the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 27 of the schools and private nonprofits for 23, a 54% public share. San Diego Christian College posts the lowest average net price on the list at $992.
University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Communication 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 ranks 1st on this list with median earnings of $84,206 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (137 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($84,206) | |||||
| 2 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $78,471 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
| University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants and reports median earnings of $78,471 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (326 graduates), Journalism (92 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (77 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($87,946), Journalism ($79,776), Communication and Media Studies ($75,864) | |||||
| 3 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $75,955 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
| Chapman University graduates earn a median of $75,955 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate is 82%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (104 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (43 graduates), Journalism (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($80,139), Journalism ($79,135), Communication and Media Studies ($73,461) | |||||
| 4 | Pepperdine University · Malibu, CA | No published median | $58,098 | $50,560 | 62.9% |
| Pepperdine University ranks 4th on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 83% alongside an average net price of $58,098. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (127 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (12 graduates), Journalism (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($81,417), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($55,432) | |||||
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $75,612 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
| University of California-Berkeley, a public university, reports median earnings of $75,612 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $13,481. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (258 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($75,612) | |||||
| 6 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $73,335 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo posts a six-year completion rate of 86% and median earnings of $73,335 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (77 graduates), Journalism (58 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($75,223), Journalism ($70,829) | |||||
| 7 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $72,976 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
| University of California-Santa Barbara admits 33% of applicants and its Communication graduates earn a median of $72,976 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (582 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($72,976) | |||||
| 8 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | $72,778 | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
| Median earnings for Communication graduates of University of California-Davis reach $72,778 four years after completing, and the school ranks 18th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (293 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($72,778) | |||||
| 9 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $71,441 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
| University of San Francisco reports an average net price of $31,537 for families earning under $30,000, and its Communication graduates earn a median of $71,441 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (76 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($81,285), Communication and Media Studies ($68,592) | |||||
| 10 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $69,144 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
| Loyola Marymount University graduates earn a median of $69,144 four years after completing their Communication degree, and the school's six-year completion rate is 79%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (125 graduates), Journalism (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($69,144) | |||||
| 11 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $68,913 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
| University of San Diego reports median earnings of $68,913 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $30,365. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (74 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($68,913) | |||||
| 12 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $68,833 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
| Sonoma State University admits 93% of applicants and reports an average net price of $8,310 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (103 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($68,833) | |||||
| 13 | Woodbury University · Burbank, CA | $68,020 | $33,692 | $28,815 | 81.7% |
| Woodbury University, a private nonprofit university in Burbank, reports median earnings of $68,020 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (5 graduates) | |||||
| 14 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $67,302 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 86%, University of California-San Diego ranks 14th on this list and holds the top spot on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions at 1st. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (278 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($67,302) | |||||
| 15 | Saint Mary's College of California · Moraga, CA | $64,456 | $30,378 | $19,462 | 86.5% |
| Saint Mary's College of California admits 87% of applicants and posts an average net price of $30,378. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($64,456) | |||||
| 16 | Westmont College · Santa Barbara, CA | $62,535 | $29,053 | $20,899 | 77.1% |
| Graduates of Westmont College earn a median of $62,535 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $20,899 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($62,535) | |||||
| 17 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | $61,653 | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
| California Lutheran University ranks 17th on this page with median earnings of $61,653 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (52 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($61,653) | |||||
| 18 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $61,387 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
| A public university in San Francisco, San Francisco State University reports an average net price of $12,278 and a six-year completion rate of 50%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (264 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (157 graduates), Journalism (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($63,731), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($58,550), Journalism ($57,260) | |||||
| 19 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | $60,666 | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
| University of the Pacific posts median earnings of $60,666 for Communication graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 71%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (16 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($60,666) | |||||
| 20 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $59,842 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
| With an average net price of $10,229, California State University-San Marcos ranks 20th on this list and reports a six-year completion rate of 55%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (204 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($59,842) | |||||
| 21 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $59,774 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
| California State University-Chico admits 93% of applicants, and its Communication graduates earn a median of $59,774 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (114 graduates), Journalism (44 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Journalism ($63,358), Communication and Media Studies ($58,391) | |||||
| 22 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $59,332 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
| An average net price of $6,857 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 51% are reported by California State University-Channel Islands. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (103 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($59,332) | |||||
| 23 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $58,956 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
| Biola University ranks 23rd on this page, with its Communication graduates earning a median of $58,956 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Journalism (23 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (18 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Journalism ($59,925) | |||||
| 24 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $58,856 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
| A public university in Sacramento, California State University-Sacramento posts an admission rate of 94% and an average net price of $9,338. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (448 graduates), Journalism (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($59,404), Journalism ($53,145) | |||||
| 25 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $58,594 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
| California Baptist University, a private nonprofit university in Riverside, reports $58,594 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $26,285. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (36 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (15 graduates), Journalism (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($60,883), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($52,904) | |||||
| 26 | Dominican University of California · San Rafael, CA | $58,005 | $35,333 | $24,572 | 83.5% |
| Graduates of Dominican University of California earn a median of $58,005 four years after completing their Communication degree, and the school admits 84% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (10 graduates) | |||||
| 27 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | No published median | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
| University of La Verne ranks 473rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 63%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (19 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (8 graduates), Journalism (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($66,891), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($55,332) | |||||
| 28 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $57,708 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
| With an average net price of $9,320, California State University-East Bay posts $57,708 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 48%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (146 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($57,708) | |||||
| 29 | The Master's University and Seminary · Santa Clarita, CA | $57,507 | $32,647 | $24,624 | 84.0% |
| The Master's University and Seminary reports $57,507 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $24,624 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($57,507) | |||||
| 30 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $57,492 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
| University of California-Irvine admits 29% of applicants and its Communication graduates earn a median of $57,492 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Journalism (26 graduates) | |||||
| 31 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $57,231 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
| San Diego State University ranks 36th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $57,231 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (290 graduates), Journalism (145 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (84 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($67,414), Communication and Media Studies ($61,389), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($43,485) | |||||
| 32 | San Diego Christian College · Santee, CA | $56,685 | $992 | $992 | 30.8% |
| A six-year completion rate of 20% and an average net price of $992 accompany $56,685 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing at San Diego Christian College. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (13 graduates) | |||||
| 33 | Concordia University-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $56,388 | $28,115 | $25,431 | 66.0% |
| Concordia University-Irvine reports $56,388 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $25,431 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($56,388) | |||||
| 34 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $56,278 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranks 15th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Communication graduates earn a median of $56,278 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (171 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($56,278) | |||||
| 35 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $56,117 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
| An average net price of $6,555 and a six-year completion rate of 70% coincide with $56,117 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing at California State University-Fullerton. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (645 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (158 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($58,082), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($48,094) | |||||
| 36 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | No published median | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
| California State University-Long Beach ranks 5th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $7,183 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (339 graduates), Journalism (85 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($58,137), Journalism ($55,192) | |||||
| 37 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $54,007 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
| With an average net price of $6,067, California State University-Stanislaus reports median earnings of $54,007 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (61 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($54,007) | |||||
| 38 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $52,781 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
| California State University-Northridge ranks 38th on this list and 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (469 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (351 graduates), Journalism (133 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($57,138), Journalism ($53,351), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($49,359) | |||||
| 39 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $51,788 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
| Admitting 95% of applicants, California State University-Fresno posts median earnings of $51,788 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Journalism (95 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (94 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($51,788) | |||||
| 40 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $50,989 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
| California State University-Bakersfield posts an average net price of $3,536 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (100 graduates) | |||||
| 41 | Simpson University · Redding, CA | No published median | $27,817 | $25,511 | 86.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in Redding, Simpson University ranks 893rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 49%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (6 graduates) | |||||
| 42 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $49,171 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
| California State University-San Bernardino reports median earnings of $49,171 for its Communication graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $4,564. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (150 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($49,171) | |||||
| 43 | Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA | No published median | $38,729 | $30,999 | 83.7% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University admits 84% of applicants and graduates 77% of its students within six years, with an average net price of $38,729. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (22 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (21 graduates), Journalism (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($47,092) | |||||
| 44 | California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA | $39,954 | $13,663 | $9,970 | 97.4% |
| Ranking 44th on this list and 134th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, California State University-Monterey Bay reports a six-year completion rate of 59%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (56 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($39,954) | |||||
| 45 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $39,867 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
| Admitting 91% of applicants, California State University-Los Angeles reports a six-year completion rate of 53%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (233 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (108 graduates), Journalism (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($39,867) | |||||
| 46 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $39,373 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
| San Jose State University reports median earnings of $39,373 for its Communication graduates two years after completing, and its average net price is $13,760. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (309 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (95 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (70 graduates) | |||||
| 47 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $39,178 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
| Admitting 98% of applicants, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt reports median earnings of $39,178 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (22 graduates), Journalism (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Journalism ($39,178) | |||||
| 48 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | No published median | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills ranks 46th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 43%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (115 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (33 graduates), Journalism (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($57,478), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($36,326) | |||||
| 49 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $34,526 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
| Azusa Pacific University, a private nonprofit university in Azusa, reports $34,526 in median earnings for its Communication graduates two years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 62%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (33 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (17 graduates), Journalism (11 graduates) | |||||
| 50 | Vanguard University of Southern California · Costa Mesa, CA | $33,043 | $21,241 | $17,225 | 62.4% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California ranks 50th on this list with median earnings of $33,043 two years after completing, and its average net price is $21,241. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (39 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Communication graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Communication earnings cohort in California appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing the program. For 3 of the 50 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 at $84,206, a gap of $5,735 above second-place University of Southern California, while the spread from top to bottom reaches $51,163.