by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 19 schools to find where communication media studies graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Seton Hall University the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Seton Hall University make a median of around $59,854 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $72,419 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at The College Of New Jersey earned it the #3 place for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $72,091 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Rowan University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,557.
Montclair State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Montclair State University is a public school located in the suburb of Montclair. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Montclair State University typically earn about $64,298 annually.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #6 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $56,765 a year early in their careers.
Rider University came in at #7 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Rider University make a median of around $41,864 per year.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Communication Media Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of about $47,804 a year early in their careers.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus typically earn about $47,804 annually.
Monmouth University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,135.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #11 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public school located in the suburb of Wayne. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey typically earn about $50,256 annually.
Saint Peters College came in at #12 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,792.
Kean University came in at #13 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Kean University is a public school located in the suburb of Union. Communication Media Studies graduates of Kean University earn a median of about $51,189 a year early in their careers.
County College Of Morris landed the #14 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris typically earn about $52,713 annually.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #15 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey make a median of around $45,131 per year.
Caldwell College earned the #16 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Caldwell College typically earn about $42,408 annually.
Union County College came in at #17 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Union County College is a public school located in the suburb of Cranford. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Union County College typically earn about $34,975 annually.
New Jersey City University landed the #18 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from New Jersey City University make a median of around $33,497 per year.
Centenary College earned the #19 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Centenary College make a median of around $17,274 per year.
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 · 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.
