Compare 17 Communication, General. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $43,671.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Communication, General. tells a different story. Across 17 programs, earnings range from $27,476 to $57,346—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
At the top, Marymount University produces Communication, General. graduates earning $57,346, closely followed by James Madison University at $56,819. The average across Virginia programs is $43,671, but these leaders demonstrate that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
Highest program earnings: $57,346
Strong outcomes with 80.5% acceptance
8.0% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
23.4% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marymount UniversityPrivate | $57,346 | 16 | $25,000 | Good | $45,008 | High |
| #2 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $56,819 | 451 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #3 | $55,850 | 178 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #4 | Randolph-Macon CollegePrivate | $54,123 | 41 | $27,000 | Good | $46,254 | High |
| #5 | Radford UniversityPublic | $51,557 | 78 | $24,000 | Good | $22,158 | Challenging |
| #6 | $50,279 | 103 | $25,000 | Manageable | $44,122 | High | |
| #7 | $47,603 | 229 | $21,500 | Good | $23,585 | High | |
| #8 | Virginia Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $45,555 | 16 | $27,000 | Manageable | $39,446 | High |
| #9 | Longwood UniversityPublic | $43,349 | 49 | $25,000 | Manageable | $36,395 | High |
| #10 | $39,191 | 59 | $26,500 | Challenging | $22,181 | High | |
| #11 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $38,584 | 143 | $24,500 | Challenging | $16,398 | High |
| #12 | Regent UniversityPrivate | $37,585 | 86 | $24,534 | Challenging | $15,513 | High |
| #13 | Bridgewater CollegePrivate | $37,099 | 24 | $26,000 | Challenging | $37,735 | High |
| #14 | University Of LynchburgPrivate | $36,997 | 21 | $27,000 | High | $31,450 | High |
| #15 | Virginia Union UniversityPrivate | $34,936 | 17 | $29,000 | High | $31,153 | High |
| #16 | Emory & Henry UniversityPrivate | $28,055 | 15 | $26,332 | High | $32,472 | High |
| #17 | Roanoke CollegePrivate | $27,476 | 28 | $27,000 | High | $40,178 | 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 →
