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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their communication media studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Columbia University In The City Of New York the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $147,928.
Strong graduate earnings at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,690.
George Washington University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $90,709 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $101,413.
American University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of American University earn a median of about $104,844 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,903.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #7 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus typically earn about $79,601 annually.
University Of Denver came in at #8 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,469.
Emerson College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson 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 $69,644.
Dallas Baptist University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Dallas Baptist University make a median of around $68,864 per year.
Weber State University earned the #11 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,928.
Washington State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,440.
Northeastern University Global Network ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Northeastern University Global Network make a median of around $78,181 per year.
University Of Florida placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $74,884 per year.
Marquette University came in at #15 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Marquette University typically earn about $64,169 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #16 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $63,088 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton came in at #17 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from California State University Fullerton make a median of around $87,316 per year.
San Diego State University earned the #18 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $81,064 a year early in their careers.
National University came in at #19 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located 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.
Queens University Of Charlotte came in at #20 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Communication Media Studies graduates of Queens University Of Charlotte earn a median of about $81,750 a year early in their careers.
Florida International University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,742.
Wayne State University earned the #22 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Wayne State University typically earn about $67,681 annually.
Lasell College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Lasell College earn a median of about $67,988 a year early in their careers.
Webster University came in at #24 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,594.
The University Of Alabama placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of Alabama make a median of around $59,911 per year.
These schools also send communication media studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Communication Media Studies rankings across degree levels:
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 · 70 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.
