Compare 677 Communication, General. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $43,451. Top programs: $80,616+.
The highest-earning Communication, General. program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $37K earnings gap across 677 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Cornell University's Communication, General. program leads with graduates earning $80,616, followed closely by University of Pennsylvania at $77,464 and Northwestern at $77,066. The average across all programs is $43,451, showing how top programs deliver nearly double the typical outcome regardless of overall school rankings.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $80,616 | 90 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $77,464 | 82 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #3 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $77,066 | 101 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #4 | $76,374 | 284 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #5 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $75,038 | 22 | $23,621 | Excellent | $56,149 | Challenging |
| #6 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $71,818 | 122 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Challenging |
| #7 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $69,156 | 428 | $23,250 | Excellent | $39,000 | Challenging |
| #8 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $67,761 | 173 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Challenging |
| #9 | $66,507 | 242 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #10 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $65,477 | 33 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #11 | Boston CollegePrivate | $65,184 | 212 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Challenging |
| #12 | Roger Williams UniversityPrivate | $64,953 | 15 | $26,940 | Good | $49,892 | High |
| #13 | American UniversityPrivate | $64,488 | 34 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Challenging |
| #14 | $63,691 | 352 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #15 | Fairfield UniversityPrivate | $63,356 | 85 | $26,000 | Good | $50,500 | High |
| #16 | $63,317 | 314 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #17 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $63,294 | 280 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Challenging |
| #18 | St. Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | $62,832 | 13 | $23,198 | Excellent | $32,425 | Challenging |
| #19 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $62,478 | 35 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Challenging |
| #20 | Marist CollegePrivate | $62,340 | 185 | $25,000 | Good | $51,958 | High |
| #21 | Loyola University MarylandPrivate | $62,264 | 118 | $27,000 | Good | $50,344 | High |
| #22 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $62,250 | 21 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Manageable |
| #23 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $62,219 | 124 | $23,250 | Good | $46,275 | High |
| #24 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $62,162 | 124 | $24,300 | Good | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #25 | $62,150 | 11 | $26,000 | Good | $50,215 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
