Best Communication Colleges in Texas (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 43 Communication programs in Texas by median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing. The University of Texas at Austin leads the list with median earnings of $69,690 four years after completing.
Across the 38 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $69,690 to $23,351, with a median of $50,186. For 4 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 28 of the schools and private nonprofits for 15. Texas A & M International University posts the lowest average net price at $3,637.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th 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 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $69,690 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin reports $69,690 in median earnings of Communication graduates four years after completing and ranks 1st on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (506 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (277 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (234 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($80,221), Journalism ($61,145), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($52,860) | |||||
| 2 | Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX | No published median | $40,892 | $23,544 | 63.4% |
| Southern Methodist University, a private nonprofit university in Dallas, ranks 2nd on this page and shows an average net price of $40,892. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (120 graduates), Journalism (42 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($89,330) | |||||
| 3 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $65,969 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 44.5% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 86%, Texas Christian University ranks 3rd on this list and reports median earnings of $65,969 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (150 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (123 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($71,186), Communication and Media Studies ($63,531), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($61,636) | |||||
| 4 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $63,935 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station admits 57% of applicants and posts median earnings of $63,935 for its Communication graduates four years after completing, ranking 4th on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (407 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (99 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($64,533) | |||||
| 5 | The University of Texas Permian Basin · Odessa, TX | $60,805 | $12,723 | $11,930 | 94.9% |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin ranks 5th on this list, with median earnings of $60,805 four years after completing, and carries an average net price of $12,723. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($60,805) | |||||
| 6 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $60,213 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| Baylor University reports median earnings of $60,213 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and ranks 6th on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (176 graduates), Journalism (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Journalism ($63,622), Communication and Media Studies ($58,915) | |||||
| 7 | Trinity University · San Antonio, TX | $59,494 | $23,464 | $10,356 | 25.9% |
| Trinity University ranks 7th on this list and admits 26% of applicants, the lowest admission rate on the page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($59,494) | |||||
| 8 | Southwestern University · Georgetown, TX | $59,372 | $29,224 | $22,478 | 43.1% |
| Southwestern University reports median earnings of $59,372 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and ranks 8th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($59,372) | |||||
| 9 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $57,914 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University ranks 9th on this page, with a six-year completion rate of 69% and median earnings of $57,914 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (292 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (210 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (150 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($62,247), Communication and Media Studies ($58,196), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($50,279) | |||||
| 10 | University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX | $56,903 | $10,542 | $9,439 | 90.0% |
| University of Houston-Downtown ranks 10th on this list and reports an average net price of $10,542, alongside median earnings of $56,903 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (108 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($56,903) | |||||
| 11 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $55,547 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University posts median earnings of $55,547 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and ranks 11th on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (386 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (217 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (92 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($59,009), Journalism ($57,963), Communication and Media Studies ($53,009) | |||||
| 12 | Saint Edward's University · Austin, TX | $54,315 | $25,578 | $20,799 | 81.4% |
| Saint Edward's University ranks 12th on this list, with an admission rate of 81% and median earnings of $54,315 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (59 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($54,558), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($53,473) | |||||
| 13 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $53,281 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston reports $53,281 in median earnings for its Communication graduates four years after completing, and its 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions coincides with an average net price of $14,276. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (208 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (101 graduates), Journalism (59 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($60,180), Journalism ($53,195), Communication and Media Studies ($49,545) | |||||
| 14 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $53,267 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 53%, The University of Texas at San Antonio posts $53,267 in median earnings for Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (296 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($53,267) | |||||
| 15 | Texas A&M University-Victoria · Victoria, TX | $52,435 | $8,109 | $5,317 | 95.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Victoria admits 96% of applicants and its Communication graduates earn a median of $52,435 four years after completing, while the school's average net price sits at $8,109. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (39 graduates) | |||||
| 16 | University of St Thomas · Houston, TX | $50,859 | $19,359 | $18,441 | 89.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Houston, University of St Thomas ranks 16th on this list with median earnings of $50,859 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (15 graduates) | |||||
| 17 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $50,856 | $11,196 | $9,596 | 92.8% |
| Texas A&M University-San Antonio reports median earnings of $50,856 for Communication graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $9,596 for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 93%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (57 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | Tarleton State University · Stephenville, TX | $50,385 | $20,783 | $15,574 | 89.6% |
| Graduates of the Communication program at Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,385 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate is 48% with an average net price of $20,783. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($50,385) | |||||
| 19 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $50,302 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 94.0% |
| Stephen F Austin State University ranks 19th on this list, reporting $50,302 in median earnings for Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $10,318 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($50,302) | |||||
| 20 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $50,247 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 94.0% |
| With an admission rate of 94%, The University of Texas at Tyler posts median earnings of $50,247 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $13,323. | |||||
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 ($50,247) | |||||
| 21 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $50,125 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| Sam Houston State University reports a six-year completion rate of 55% and median earnings of $50,125 for Communication graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $12,474 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (186 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($50,125) | |||||
| 22 | University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX | $49,841 | $15,563 | $7,330 | 90.5% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake ranks 22nd on this list, with Communication graduates earning a median of $49,841 four years after completing and the school reporting an average net price of $15,563. | |||||
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 ($49,841) | |||||
| 23 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $49,746 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Lamar University admits 86% of applicants, and its Communication graduates earn a median of $49,746 four years after completing while the school's average net price is $9,366. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (53 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($49,746) | |||||
| 24 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $49,554 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas posts median earnings of $49,554 for Communication graduates four years after completing, with a six-year completion rate of 61% and an average net price of $12,311 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Journalism (267 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (246 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (109 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Journalism ($57,461), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($40,972) | |||||
| 25 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor · Belton, TX | $49,545 | $26,106 | $22,089 | 95.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Belton, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor reports median earnings of $49,545 for its Communication graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (16 graduates) | |||||
| 26 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $48,887 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| With an average net price of $13,570, Prairie View A & M University ranks 26th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 43%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($48,887) | |||||
| 27 | Dallas Baptist University · Dallas, TX | $48,169 | $28,516 | $25,326 | 88.8% |
| Dallas Baptist University admits 89% of applicants and its Communication graduates earn a median of $48,169 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (27 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($48,598), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($46,723) | |||||
| 28 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $47,725 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University ranks 222nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $16,437 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (46 graduates), Journalism (21 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (15 graduates) | |||||
| 29 | Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX | $47,651 | $11,656 | $8,856 | 93.5% |
| Graduates of Midwestern State University's Communication program earn a median of $47,651 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate is 43%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($47,651) | |||||
| 30 | Abilene Christian University · Abilene, TX | No published median | $26,182 | $20,285 | 66.0% |
| Abilene Christian University ranks 30th on this list, admits 66% of applicants, and has an average net price of $20,285 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (23 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (7 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (6 graduates) | |||||
| 31 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $45,553 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 99.9% |
| The University of Texas at El Paso reports median earnings of $45,553 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $9,403. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (85 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (68 graduates), Communication and Media Studies (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($49,558), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($36,373) | |||||
| 32 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $42,921 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 40%, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 310th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (63 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($42,921) | |||||
| 33 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | No published median | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| West Texas A & M University ranks 33rd on this list, admits 99% of applicants, and reports an average net price of $16,525 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (18 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (17 graduates), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication ($40,183) | |||||
| 34 | Texas A & M International University · Laredo, TX | $41,350 | $3,637 | $3,097 | 44.4% |
| Texas A & M International University reports median earnings of $41,350 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $3,097 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($41,350) | |||||
| 35 | Angelo State University · San Angelo, TX | No published median | $15,091 | $12,008 | 83.0% |
| Angelo State University ranks 645th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and has a six-year completion rate of 44%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (29 graduates), Journalism (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($43,002) | |||||
| 36 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $39,940 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports median earnings of $39,940 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $4,831. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (142 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($39,940) | |||||
| 37 | University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX | $39,660 | $22,775 | $19,260 | 98.1% |
| University of the Incarnate Word, a private nonprofit university in San Antonio, reports median earnings of $39,660 for its Communication graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,775. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (17 graduates), Journalism (5 graduates), Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($39,660) | |||||
| 38 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $37,038 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 90.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville admits 91% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 42%, alongside median Communication earnings of $37,038 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Communication and Media Studies ($37,038) | |||||
| 39 | St. Mary's University · San Antonio, TX | $34,526 | $21,145 | $18,352 | 97.8% |
| Graduates of St. Mary's University in San Antonio earned a median of $34,526 two years after completing, and the private nonprofit school reports an average net price of $18,352 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (23 graduates) | |||||
| 40 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | No published median | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $13,951. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (215 graduates) | |||||
| 41 | Texas Lutheran University · Seguin, TX | $31,848 | $24,654 | $20,512 | 95.7% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 54%, Texas Lutheran University reports median Communication earnings of $31,848 two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (6 graduates) | |||||
| 42 | Concordia University Texas · Austin, TX | $31,133 | $23,131 | $18,764 | 91.3% |
| Concordia University Texas in Austin admits 91% of applicants and lists an average net price of $18,764 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (9 graduates) | |||||
| 43 | Austin College · Sherman, TX | $23,351 | $21,107 | $16,528 | 47.7% |
| Austin College reports median Communication earnings of $23,351 two years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 67%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Communication and Media Studies (19 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 Texas appear. The figures are medians for federally aided Communication graduates who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 4 of the 43 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 38 schools with a published figure. The University of Texas at Austin leads at $69,690, and the spread from that top figure to the lowest, $23,351, is $46,339.