by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a communication media studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send communication media studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Gavilan College, our #1 for communication media studies graduate salaries in the United States. Gavilan College is a public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,946.
Strong graduate earnings at Santa Monica College earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. Santa Monica College is a public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Santa Monica College make a median of around $62,391 per year.
College Of San Mateo produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of College Of San Mateo earn a median of about $58,331 a year early in their careers.
Santa Barbara City College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Santa Barbara City College is a public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College typically earn about $54,515 annually.
Saddleback College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Saddleback College is a public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Communication Media Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of about $53,689 a year early in their careers.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,717.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Moorpark College is a public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,809.
Fresno City College earned the #8 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Fresno City College typically earn about $48,933 annually.
Cerritos College landed the #9 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Cerritos College is a public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,794.
Orange Coast College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Orange Coast College is a public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College typically earn about $45,040 annually.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Communication Media Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of about $44,570 a year early in their careers.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #12 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of about $44,060 a year early in their careers.
Miracosta College landed the #13 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Miracosta College earn a median of about $43,866 a year early in their careers.
Bristol Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Bristol Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Communication Media Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of about $43,827 a year early in their careers.
Delaware County Community College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Delaware County Community College make a median of around $43,500 per year.
College Of The Canyons landed the #16 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. College Of The Canyons is a public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons typically earn about $42,777 annually.
Citrus College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Citrus College typically earn about $42,335 annually.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #18 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,285.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #19 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from San Diego Mesa College make a median of around $41,041 per year.
Cypress College came in at #20 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,764.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #21 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College typically earn about $40,630 annually.
Golden West College placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Golden West College make a median of around $39,417 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,767.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,767.
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,463.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid communication media studies ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Communication Media Studies rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries communication media studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 41 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.