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 31 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.
Hiram College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in Ohio. Hiram College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hiram. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,027.
Strong graduate earnings at Denison University earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. Denison University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,696.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Dayton one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Dayton typically earn about $71,532 annually.
Cedarville University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Cedarville University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Cedarville University make a median of around $50,646 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus make a median of around $63,099 per year.
The College Of Wooster landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The College Of Wooster make a median of around $64,741 per year.
Muskingum University landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Muskingum University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Concord. Communication Media Studies graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of about $48,604 a year early in their careers.
John Carroll University earned the #8 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. Early-career communication media studies graduates from John Carroll University make a median of around $59,845 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $52,971 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #10 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Miami University Hamilton make a median of around $59,961 per year.
Miami University Middletown ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Miami University Middletown earn a median of about $59,961 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Oxford came in at #12 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,961.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #13 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,307.
Ohio University Eastern Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Saint Clairsville, Ohio University Eastern Campus is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Ohio University Eastern Campus make a median of around $53,307 per year.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #15 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Communication Media Studies graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of about $53,307 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #16 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $53,307 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned the #17 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of about $53,307 a year early in their careers.
Kent State University At Kent placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $48,898 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $53,846 a year early in their careers.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,767.
Sinclair Community College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,860.
Xavier University earned the #22 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Xavier University earn a median of about $39,771 a year early in their careers.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $49,425 a year early in their careers.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #24 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville typically earn about $47,984 annually.
Cleveland State University came in at #25 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of about $49,186 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid communication media studies ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 31 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.