
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where communication media studies graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send communication media studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in Maryland. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College typically earn about $71,533 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,778.
Loyola University Baltimore produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore typically earn about $73,116 annually.
Towson University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of about $63,882 a year early in their careers.
Mcdaniel College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Mcdaniel College typically earn about $62,755 annually.
Mount St Marys University landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Mount St Marys University typically earn about $52,280 annually.
Salisbury University landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,349.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #8 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Maryland Baltimore County make a median of around $58,322 per year.
Frostburg State University came in at #9 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Frostburg State University make a median of around $54,286 per year.
Hood College landed the #10 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Hood College make a median of around $47,421 per year.
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Notes and References
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 · 10 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.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Graduate earnings data comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard) field-of-study earnings.
More about our data sources and methodologies.