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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their communication media studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 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.
For graduate earnings in communication media studies, no school beat George Washington University this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Communication Media Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of about $71,944 a year early in their careers.
Catholic University Of America came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America typically earn about $70,420 annually.
American University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. 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 $94,186 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Gallaudet University earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet 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 $25,747.
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 · 4 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.