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# Best Communication Colleges in Michigan (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Journalism](/rankings/best-journalism-programs-in-michigan/)

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](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) 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

24 schools in list order

| 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](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) reports [$79,648 in median earnings](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/outcomes/) 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%](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/), [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) 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](/school/siena-heights-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Adrian, shows an [average net price of $15,624](/school/siena-heights-university/cost/) 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](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) [admits 85% of applicants](/school/western-michigan-university/admissions/) 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](/school/hope-college/majors/) reports [median earnings of $55,166](/school/hope-college/outcomes/) 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](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) [ranks 80th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/wayne-state-university/) 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](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,825](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 67%](/school/grand-valley-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $17,597](/school/central-michigan-university/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/majors/) [ranks 88th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/) 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](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $52,395](/school/eastern-michigan-university/outcomes/) 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%](/school/oakland-university/outcomes/), [Oakland University](/school/oakland-university/majors/) 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](/school/adrian-college/majors/) [admits 73% of applicants](/school/adrian-college/admissions/) 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](/school/ferris-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $51,396 for Communication graduates at [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/majors/) 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](/school/cornerstone-university/majors/) [graduates 62% of its students within six years](/school/cornerstone-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/aquinas-college/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 65%](/school/aquinas-college/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007, and its Communication graduates earn a [median of $47,959](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/outcomes/) 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](/school/calvin-university/majors/), 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](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 22nd on this list and posts an [average net price of $7,697](/school/northern-michigan-university/cost/) 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](/school/lawrence-technological-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $30,771](/school/lawrence-technological-university/outcomes/) 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%](/school/the-university-of-olivet/outcomes/), [The University of Olivet](/school/the-university-of-olivet/majors/) 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.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Communication Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-communication-colleges/)
-   [Best Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Communication Colleges in California](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Communication Colleges in Connecticut](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-connecticut/)
-   [Best Communication Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Communication Colleges in Kentucky](/rankings/best-communication-colleges-in-kentucky/)
-   Communication Colleges in Michigan for Social Mobility