2021 Communication & Journalism Degree Guide
Majoring in the field of Communication and Journalism will equip students with all types of knowledge on how to communicate with the general public through a plethora of media outlets. You will have the opportunity to take classes ranging from speech writing to design and layout while learning how to improve your writing and verbal communication skills.
There are many options when it comes to choosing your major within this field. Communications and Media Studies gives you the opportunity to study communications at broad level and understand all types of media. If you are passionate about reporting news stories to the public you may choose to go into Journalism. Or if you are interested in building a reputation or brand for clients Public Relations and Advertising may be a good choice. You also have the option to focus on Radio, Television, and Digital Communication to learn skills to design, develop, and manage types of digital media or major in Publishing and focus on layout and design. No matter what major you decide to focus on, a degree in communication and journalism will enhance your writing and verbal communication skills, making you a great candidate for any type of employment.
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Communication & Journalism Degrees Growing in Popularity
Communication & Journalism was the 11th most popular major in the 2018-2019 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 116,237 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 1.1% increase in communication and journalism degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 114,986.
Approximately 1,501 colleges in the U.S. offer a communication and journalism degree of some kind. This year's Best Colleges for Communication & Journalism ranking compares 585 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom communication and journalism rankings further below.
Communication & Journalism Degree Requirements
Those going into the communications field should enjoy communicating through the written word as well as through interaction with people. A career in this field will require constant meetings with clients, other communications professionals, and members of the media. Communications professionals are often in fast paced careers, making the skills to balance multiple projects a necessity. This field of study is also best suited for students who are detail oriented and enjoy problem solving and investigation.
Typically, most careers in the communications and journalism fields are full time, but don't stick to the 40-hour workweek. New stories may cause journalists to work at odd hours while long projects or deadlines will force communications specialists to work in evenings and on the weekend.
Prior Education for a Communication & Journalism Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most communication and journalism degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic communication and journalism program qualifications, to serve in some communication and journalism careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Communication & Journalism Degree Types
Communication & Journalism degree levels vary. Communication & Journalism programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest communication and journalism degree you can get. Communication & Journalism programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to communication and journalism, with approximately 53.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to communication and journalism tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 54.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 10.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.1% |
| Some College Courses | 8.6% |
| High School Diploma | 8.0% |
Most workers in communication and journalism have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in communication and journalism careers have.
This of course varies depending on which communication and journalism career you choose.
Career Opportunities for A Degree In Communication & Journalism Graduate
A degree in the communications and journalism field opens a wide array of career options to graduates. You may decide to work in a public relations firm, at a publishing house, as a representative for a major corporation, as a speechwriter, or work as a consultant. No matter what career path you choose, you can be confident that your degree in communication and journalism will give you the skills to work and advance within any organization.
Growth Projected for Communication & Journalism Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your communication and journalism degree? Communication & Journalism careers are expected to grow 6.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communication and journalism.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 282,600 | 8.9% |
| Producers and Directors | 151,200 | 12.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 141,200 | 7.6% |
| Photographers | 139,000 | -5.6% |
How Much Money Do Communication & Journalism Grads Make?
Recently graduated communication and journalism students earned an average of $32,549 in 2017-2018. Earnings can range from as low as $5,200 to as high as $97,600. As you might expect, salaries for communication and journalism graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Communication & Journalism Careers
Salaries for communication and journalism graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers communication and journalism grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $133,090 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $131,570 |
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Broadcast News Analysts | $91,990 |
| Artist, Athlete, and Performer Agents and Business Managers | $90,930 |
Getting Your Communication & Journalism Degree
With over 5,263 different communication and journalism degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased communication and journalism school rankings to help you with this.
Study Areas in Communication & Journalism
Communication & Journalism Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 66,285 |
| Public Relations & Advertising | 19,456 |
| Journalism | 15,245 |
| Radio, Television & Digital Communication | 13,290 |
| Communication & Journalism (Other) | 1,695 |
View All Communication & Journalism Related Majors >
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Education | 269,156 |
| Social Sciences | 199,377 |
| Psychology | 174,455 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 37,407 |
| History | 32,643 |
View All Communication & Journalism Related Majors >
References
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Image Credit: By Josh Hallett under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Communications / Public Relations Schools
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |
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Purdue University
Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online ... Learn More > |
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Grand Canyon University (GCU)
With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments ... Learn More > |
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Northcentral University
Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences ... Learn More > |
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Colorado Technical University (CTU)
CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, aculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology ... Learn More > |
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