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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their communication media studies graduates.
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Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Alverno College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools in Wisconsin. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Alverno College earn a median of about $60,730 a year early in their careers.
Carroll University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Carroll University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Carroll University typically earn about $57,287 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Wisconsin Lutheran College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Wisconsin Lutheran College typically earn about $55,008 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Lakeland College earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. Lakeland College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,830.
Edgewood College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, Edgewood College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Edgewood College typically earn about $55,401 annually.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #6 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse typically earn about $58,179 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #7 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $57,987 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,216.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh make a median of around $56,851 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $57,874 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #11 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a public school located in the suburb of Superior. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,972.
Carthage College came in at #12 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage 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 $58,690.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #13 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls typically earn about $51,308 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $51,174 per year.
Marquette University earned the #15 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Marquette University earn a median of about $53,089 a year early in their careers.
Saint Norbert College earned the #16 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Saint Norbert College typically earn about $50,073 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point make a median of around $46,462 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #18 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay make a median of around $43,266 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #19 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $43,676 a year early in their careers.
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 · 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.