Compare 691 Communication, General. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,299. Top programs: $114,266+.
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 | 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
