Best Communication Colleges in Michigan (2026)
Updated
This page ranks 24 Communication programs in Michigan by median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing, highest first. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads the list with median earnings of $79,648 four years after completing.
Across the 22 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $79,648 to $25,967, with a median of $52,934. For 2 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 54% of the list, with 13 public and 11 private nonprofit schools represented. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
University of Michigan-Flint posts the lowest average net price at $7,007, while Rochester Christian University admits 98% of applicants, the highest admission rate on the page.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Communication Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $79,648 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reports $79,648 in median earnings for its Communication graduates four years after completing, and ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (255 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($79,648) | |||||
| 2 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $64,976 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 81%, Michigan State University posts median earnings of $64,976 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (552 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (441 graduates), Journalism (100 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($69,300), Communication and Media Studies ($60,807), Journalism ($59,498) | |||||
| 3 | Siena Heights University · Adrian, MI | $62,530 | $17,124 | $15,624 | 68.9% |
| Siena Heights University, a private nonprofit university in Adrian, shows an average net price of $15,624 for families earning under $30,000 alongside median earnings of $62,530 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (12 graduates), Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($62,530) | |||||
| 4 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $59,417 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
| Western Michigan University admits 85% of applicants and its Communication graduates earn a median of $59,417 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (66 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (39 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($64,127), Communication and Media Studies ($51,446) | |||||
| 5 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $55,166 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
| Hope College reports median earnings of $55,166 for its Communication graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $27,182. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (39 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($55,166) | |||||
| 6 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $55,136 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| Wayne State University ranks 80th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $55,136 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (58 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (39 graduates), Journalism (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($59,025), Communication and Media Studies ($57,335), Journalism ($54,188) | |||||
| 7 | Albion College · Albion, MI | $54,300 | $14,301 | $10,036 | 80.7% |
| Graduates of Albion College earn a median of $54,300 four years after completing, and the school reports a six-year completion rate of 62%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (13 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($54,300) | |||||
| 8 | Alma College · Alma, MI | $53,947 | $20,694 | $17,162 | 57.0% |
| Alma College shows an average net price of $17,162 for families earning under $30,000, while its Communication graduates earn a median of $53,947 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (13 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (12 graduates) | |||||
| 9 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $53,825 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
| Saginaw Valley State University reports median earnings of $53,825 for its Communication graduates four years after completing, and admits 72% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (55 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($53,825) | |||||
| 10 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $53,391 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
| Grand Valley State University posts a six-year completion rate of 67% and median earnings of $53,391 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (157 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (67 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($57,599), Communication and Media Studies ($46,938), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($43,011) | |||||
| 11 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $53,164 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
| Central Michigan University reports an average net price of $17,597 and median earnings of $53,164 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (91 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (86 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (54 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($59,522), Communication and Media Studies ($55,353), Journalism ($47,775) | |||||
| 12 | University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI | $52,703 | $9,492 | $7,211 | 55.6% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks 88th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Communication graduates earn a median of $52,703 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (26 graduates), Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($52,703) | |||||
| 13 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $52,395 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
| Eastern Michigan University reports median earnings of $52,395 for its Communication graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $15,407. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (109 graduates), Journalism (21 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($59,927), Communication and Media Studies ($52,805), Journalism ($45,245) | |||||
| 14 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | No published median | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 58%, Oakland University ranks 14th on this list and posts an average net price of $9,120. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (110 graduates), Journalism (23 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($55,662), Journalism ($46,680) | |||||
| 15 | Adrian College · Adrian, MI | $52,309 | $25,368 | $19,542 | 72.5% |
| Adrian College admits 73% of applicants and shows median earnings of $52,309 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (8 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (6 graduates) | |||||
| 16 | Rochester Christian University · Rochester Hills, MI | $51,856 | $21,456 | $18,463 | 97.7% |
| Rochester Christian University ranks 16th on this list, with an admission rate of 98% and a six-year completion rate of 44%. | |||||
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 ($51,856) | |||||
| 17 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $51,396 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 91.4% |
| An average net price of $2,556 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $51,396 for Communication graduates at Ferris State University four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($51,396) | |||||
| 18 | Cornerstone University · Grand Rapids, MI | $50,401 | $20,301 | $20,177 | 77.8% |
| Cornerstone University graduates 62% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $50,401 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (16 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (6 graduates) | |||||
| 19 | Aquinas College · Grand Rapids, MI | $48,075 | $16,626 | $10,725 | 89.9% |
| Ranking 19th on this list, Aquinas College shows a six-year completion rate of 65% alongside an admission rate of 90%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($48,075) | |||||
| 20 | University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI | $47,959 | $7,007 | $1,517 | 70.5% |
| University of Michigan-Flint carries the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007, and its Communication graduates earn a median of $47,959 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($47,959) | |||||
| 21 | Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI | $43,138 | $22,992 | $19,281 | 70.9% |
| At Calvin University, median earnings for Communication graduates four years after completing are $43,138, and the six-year completion rate is 74%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (9 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($43,138) | |||||
| 22 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | No published median | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
| Northern Michigan University ranks 22nd on this list and posts an average net price of $7,697 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (18 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (11 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($47,875) | |||||
| 23 | Lawrence Technological University · Southfield, MI | $30,771 | $32,918 | $25,980 | 55.9% |
| Lawrence Technological University reports median earnings of $30,771 for its Communication graduates two years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 56%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (11 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (5 graduates) | |||||
| 24 | The University of Olivet · Olivet, MI | $25,967 | $21,393 | $19,656 | 83.3% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 35%, The University of Olivet ranks 24th on this list and reports median earnings of $25,967 for its Communication graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Journalism (13 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 Michigan appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing the program. For 2 of the 24 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 22 schools with a published figure. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads Michigan State University by a gap of $14,672, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $53,681.