Compare 17 Communication, General. programs in Tennessee. Average earnings: $37,037.
The highest-earning Communication, General. program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $43K earnings gap across 17 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Topping the list, Vanderbilt University's program delivers $62,250 in median earnings, well above the $37,037 average across Tennessee programs. But Belmont University ($56,043) and UT-Knoxville ($48,099) demonstrate that strong outcomes aren't limited to highly selective institutions.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $62,250 | 21 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Manageable |
| #2 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | $56,043 | 39 | $20,500 | Good | $72,092 | High |
| #3 | $48,099 | 135 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | High | |
| #4 | $45,448 | 113 | $19,500 | Good | $17,353 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $39,844 | 96 | $20,547 | Manageable | $14,710 | High | |
| #6 | $38,769 | 28 | $15,650 | Manageable | $11,640 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $37,594 | 172 | $20,000 | Challenging | $14,229 | High | |
| #8 | University Of MemphisPublic | $37,313 | 71 | $23,300 | Challenging | $15,393 | High |
| #9 | $35,498 | 62 | $27,000 | High | $18,771 | High | |
| #10 | $34,529 | 22 | $21,024 | Challenging | $13,218 | High | |
| #11 | $33,614 | 82 | $19,442 | Challenging | $16,938 | High | |
| #12 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | $31,767 | 13 | $19,500 | High | $30,298 | High |
| #13 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | $30,963 | 17 | $21,500 | High | $17,541 | High |
| #14 | Lee UniversityPrivate | $27,365 | 24 | $25,750 | High | $24,000 | High |
| #15 | Trevecca Nazarene UniversityPrivate | $27,053 | 17 | $18,744 | High | $12,000 | High |
| #16 | Johnson UniversityPrivate | $24,035 | 6 | $21,500 | High | $26,079 | High |
| #17 | American Baptist CollegePrivate | $19,442 | 6 | — | — | — | — |
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 →
