Communication programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $15,817 to $80,616. Across 586 programs, the variation in program outcomes demonstrates why program selection matters significantly for career trajectories in journalism and media careers.
Leading the list is Cornell University, achieving the highest program earnings at $80,616. Georgia Institute Of Technology-Main Campus follows with $77,892, while University Of Pennsylvania rounds out the top three at $77,464, demonstrating how elite communications degree programs translate to superior median earnings.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | Syracuse, NY | $62,591 Median Communication Earnings | $21,505 | 41.7% | 81.3% |
| #22 | Marist CollegePrivate | Poughkeepsie, NY | $62,340 Median Communication Earnings | $25,331 | 64.7% | 79.8% |
| #23 | Loyola University MarylandPrivate | Baltimore, MD | $62,264 Median Communication Earnings | $19,154 | 76.3% | 80.5% |
| #24 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $62,250 Median Communication Earnings | $5,797 | 6.3% | 92.7% |
| #25 | Washington, DC | $62,150 Median Communication Earnings | $22,216 | 83.8% | 81.3% | |
| #26 | College Park, MD | $61,906 Median Communication Earnings | $3,603 | 44.8% | 88.6% | |
| #27 | Pace UniversityPrivate | New York, NY | $61,821 Median Communication Earnings | $26,575 | 77.1% | 61.4% |
| #28 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | Villanova, PA | $61,471 Median Communication Earnings | $16,914 | 25.1% | 92.4% |
| #29 | Sacred Heart UniversityPrivate | Fairfield, CT | $61,393 Median Communication Earnings | $37,374 | 67.7% | 74.5% |
| #30 | Bryant UniversityPrivate | Smithfield, RI | $61,344 Median Communication Earnings | $33,555 | 65.6% | 80.6% |
| #31 | Dallas, TX | $61,209 Median Communication Earnings | $30,165 | 61.2% | 83.3% | |
| #32 | University Of DelawarePublic | Newark, DE | $61,186 Median Communication Earnings | $9,354 | 65.1% | 78.8% |
| #33 | Santa Barbara, CA | $61,114 Median Communication Earnings | $7,745 | 27.8% | 85.3% | |
| #34 | Davis, CA | $60,820 Median Communication Earnings | $8,594 | 41.6% | 85.1% | |
| #35 | Assumption UniversityPrivate | Worcester, MA | $60,628 Median Communication Earnings | $18,025 | 86.5% | 74.6% |
| #36 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $60,597 Median Communication Earnings | $30,208 | 40.3% | 79.8% |
| #37 | Champaign, IL | $60,558 Median Communication Earnings | $3,883 | 43.7% | 84.9% | |
| #38 | University Of DaytonPrivate | Dayton, OH | $60,466 Median Communication Earnings | $25,086 | 61.7% | 81.5% |
| #39 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | Fort Worth, TX | $60,383 Median Communication Earnings | $15,531 | 42.6% | 85.6% |
| #40 | Hayward, CA | $60,326 Median Communication Earnings | $8,059 | 96.8% | 45.5% |
