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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their communication media studies graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in Michigan. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $81,316 a year early in their careers.
Michigan State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,407.
Adrian College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Adrian College make a median of around $47,849 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Albion College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Albion, Albion 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 $58,781.
Hope College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Hope College earn a median of about $54,579 a year early in their careers.
Oakland University landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of about $52,793 a year early in their careers.
Central Michigan University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of about $59,377 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #8 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Eastern Michigan University make a median of around $51,724 per year.
Wayne State University came in at #9 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,318.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of about $48,504 a year early in their careers.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #11 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Center. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Saginaw Valley State University make a median of around $46,666 per year.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #12 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn typically earn about $52,201 annually.
Rochester College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Rochester College make a median of around $43,825 per year.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #14 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Aquinas College Michigan typically earn about $48,014 annually.
Grand Valley State University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University typically earn about $46,747 annually.
Western Michigan University landed the #16 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Western Michigan University make a median of around $46,081 per year.
Calvin College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Calvin College earn a median of about $39,062 a year early in their careers.
Northern Michigan University earned the #18 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,105.
Cornerstone University came in at #19 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of about $30,615 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 19 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.