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.
College Factual analyzed 100 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.
Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 for communication media studies graduate salaries in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $147,928 annually.
Cornell University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Cornell University make a median of around $89,715 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,743.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Scranton earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Scranton make a median of around $61,646 per year.
University Of Maryland University College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Maryland University College make a median of around $71,533 per year.
Seton Hall University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,854.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Cuny Graduate School And University Center make a median of around $61,361 per year.
Hobart William Smith Colleges earned the #8 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Geneva. Communication Media Studies graduates of Hobart William Smith Colleges earn a median of about $70,320 a year early in their careers.
George Washington University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $71,944 annually.
Villanova University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova 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 $74,641.
Fordham University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $72,537 per year.
Farmingdale State College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Farmingdale State College is a public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,832.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #13 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $75,778 a year early in their careers.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #14 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University typically earn about $101,413 annually.
University Of Delaware landed the #15 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. University Of Delaware is a public school located in the suburb of Newark. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Delaware make a median of around $75,745 per year.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick make a median of around $72,419 per year.
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #17 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,116.
Catholic University Of America earned the #18 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,420.
American University earned the #19 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from American University typically earn about $94,186 annually.
Marist College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Marist College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Marist College make a median of around $72,563 per year.
Susquehanna University came in at #21 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Susquehanna University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Susquehanna University typically earn about $53,967 annually.
Hofstra University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Hofstra University make a median of around $75,038 per year.
Manhattan College came in at #23 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of about $68,181 a year early in their careers.
Westminster College Pa landed the #24 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of about $53,571 a year early in their careers.
Alfred University earned the #25 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Alfred University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Alfred University make a median of around $51,996 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid communication media studies ranking:
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 · 100 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.