by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their communication media studies graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find where communication media studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Southern California earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $96,903 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $87,316 annually.
San Diego State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,064.
National University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from National University typically earn about $71,817 annually.
California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $80,979 annually.
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 · 5 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.