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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Southern Methodist University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in the United States. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $74,109 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Cornell University one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $89,715 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Marymount University, which ranked #3. Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,844.
A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $90,012.
San Jose State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from San Jose State University typically earn about $67,114 annually.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $87,743 a year early in their careers.
Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Vanderbilt University make a median of around $65,907 per year.
Boston College came in at #8 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Boston College typically earn about $81,317 annually.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $67,009 annually.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #10 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $93,369 a year early in their careers.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #11 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,316.
Boston University earned the #12 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of about $84,361 a year early in their careers.
University Of Scranton came in at #13 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Scranton make a median of around $61,646 per year.
Austin College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,368.
Villanova University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Villanova University make a median of around $74,641 per year.
Santa Clara University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Santa Clara University typically earn about $74,671 annually.
Alverno College landed the #17 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Alverno College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,730.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,533.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #19 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $79,620 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Global Campus earned the #20 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Colorado State University Global Campus is a public school located in the city of Denver. Communication Media Studies graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus earn a median of about $76,111 a year early in their careers.
Biola University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Biola University make a median of around $59,996 per year.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #22 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California typically earn about $59,961 annually.
Seton Hall University came in at #23 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,854.
Northeastern University came in at #24 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $77,774 per year.
University Of Southern California earned the #25 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $77,431 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid communication media studies ranking:
These schools also placed among the highest-paying for communication media studies graduates this year:
A few more high-earning communication media studies schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #99 | Cedarville University | Cedarville, OH | $50,646 | Full Report |
| #100 | University Of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | $66,999 | Full Report |
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. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their communication media studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 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.