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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 27 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.
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 for communication media studies graduate salaries in Illinois. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Northwestern University typically earn about $90,200 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Lake Forest College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Lake Forest College make a median of around $68,321 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $71,207 per year.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,279.
University Of Illinois At Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $63,943 annually.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #6 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Wheaton College Illinois make a median of around $63,267 per year.
Trinity Christian College landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of about $48,817 a year early in their careers.
Devry University Illinois ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Communication Media Studies graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of about $47,760 a year early in their careers.
Monmouth College landed the #9 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth 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 $47,083.
Illinois State University landed the #10 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,333.
Northern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Northern Illinois University is a public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Communication Media Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $56,644 a year early in their careers.
North Park University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from North Park University typically earn about $45,665 annually.
Depaul University earned the #13 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Communication Media Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of about $59,824 a year early in their careers.
Saint Xavier University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,123.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #15 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,374.
Western Illinois University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,354.
Loyola University Chicago placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,354.
Eastern Illinois University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $53,765 a year early in their careers.
Millikin University came in at #19 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Millikin University earn a median of about $47,358 a year early in their careers.
Benedictine University landed the #20 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of about $54,475 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #21 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $59,866 annually.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $47,402 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #23 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Illinois At Springfield make a median of around $48,076 per year.
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #24 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,075.
Governors State University placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Governors State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Park. Communication Media Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of about $52,454 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send communication media studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 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.