Compare 673 Communication, General. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,252. Top programs: $114,266+.
The highest-earning Communication, General. program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $96K earnings gap across 674 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Graduates at the top earn $114K while the field averages $51K—a spread that makes program selection far more consequential than school name recognition.
Topping the list, the University of Pennsylvania's Communication program delivers $114K in median earnings—more than double the $51K field average. Northwestern ranks second at $94K, followed by Cornell at $88K. The presence of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor at #9 with $80K—a public institution outpacing several highly selective private schools—signals that earnings here track program quality, not tuition price tags.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Pennsylvania graduates borrow $15,715 in student loans and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing firmly in the 'Excellent' category. For families weighing parent loans, Penn's combined burden rises to 8.0%—still 'Good'—while Cornell's family burden reaches 12.0%, a reminder that who's borrowing shapes the affordability picture entirely. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $114,266 | 63 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #2 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $93,541 | 90 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #3 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $88,463 | 88 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #4 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $84,206 | 137 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Challenging |
| #5 | Boston CollegePrivate | $83,586 | 191 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $81,497 | 155 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #7 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $80,306 | 134 | $23,250 | Excellent | $39,000 | Manageable |
| #8 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $80,191 | 135 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #9 | $79,648 | 255 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #10 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $79,112 | 30 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #11 | Fairfield UniversityPrivate | $78,081 | 61 | $26,000 | Excellent | $50,500 | Challenging |
| #12 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $77,984 | 130 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
| #13 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $77,244 | 131 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Manageable |
| #14 | $76,945 | 176 | $20,500 | Excellent | $33,574 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $76,243 | 6 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #16 | Roanoke CollegePrivate | $76,198 | 33 | $27,000 | Excellent | $40,178 | Challenging |
| #17 | $75,864 | 326 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $75,612 | 258 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #19 | $75,223 | 77 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Marist UniversityPrivate | $74,726 | 193 | $25,000 | Excellent | $51,958 | Challenging |
| #21 | $74,597 | 23 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #22 | Manhattan UniversityPrivate | $74,471 | 44 | $26,000 | Excellent | $56,630 | Challenging |
| #23 | $74,402 | 354 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $73,750 | 38 | $20,500 | Excellent | $46,609 | Challenging |
| #25 | $73,650 | 63 | $27,000 | Excellent | $61,178 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
