Compare 45 Communication, General. programs in California. Average earnings: $50,850.
With top graduates earning $76,374, Communication, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $25K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University of California-Berkeley leads with Communication graduates earning $76,374, well above the state average of $50,850. But prestige isn't everything—Santa Clara University follows at $71,818 despite its 44% acceptance rate, while USC's selective program ($63,317) trails both. Regional variation drives outcomes more than brand recognition.
Highest program earnings: $76,374
Strong outcomes ($61,461) with 51% acceptance
3.3% payment burden | Excellent
11.7% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $76,374 | 284 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #2 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $71,818 | 122 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Challenging |
| #3 | $63,317 | 314 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #4 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $61,461 | 97 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #5 | $61,114 | 517 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $60,820 | 323 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $60,813 | 273 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #8 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $60,597 | 121 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | High |
| #9 | $60,521 | 64 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $60,326 | 160 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $59,054 | 43 | $23,691 | Good | $58,000 | High | |
| #12 | $57,672 | 406 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #13 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $57,436 | 113 | $22,940 | Good | $56,559 | High |
| #14 | $55,413 | 19 | $25,000 | Good | $38,669 | High | |
| #15 | $55,039 | 239 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $53,663 | 106 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #17 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $53,036 | 24 | $23,510 | Good | $41,309 | High |
| #18 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $53,027 | 98 | $20,500 | Good | $44,954 | High |
| #19 | Concordia University-IrvinePrivate | $52,501 | 31 | $24,247 | Good | $26,000 | Challenging |
| #20 | $52,314 | 531 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $51,693 | 730 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $51,544 | 152 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #23 | University Of The PacificPrivate | $50,988 | 12 | $19,500 | Good | $50,438 | High |
| #24 | $50,264 | 190 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $50,014 | 43 | $21,669 | Good | $32,125 | 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 →
