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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 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 University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $87,743 per year.
University Of Scranton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,646.
Villanova University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Villanova University make a median of around $74,641 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Susquehanna University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna 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 $53,967.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Westminster College Pa, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Westminster College Pa typically earn about $53,571 annually.
Saint Josephs University landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Saint Josephs University make a median of around $64,999 per year.
Alvernia University came in at #7 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Alvernia University typically earn about $47,967 annually.
Thiel College landed the #8 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Thiel College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,677.
Muhlenberg College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Muhlenberg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Communication Media Studies graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $70,391 a year early in their careers.
Delaware County Community College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Delaware County Community College make a median of around $43,500 per year.
Messiah College earned the #11 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Messiah College earn a median of about $44,343 a year early in their careers.
Juniata College came in at #12 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Juniata College earn a median of about $62,832 a year early in their careers.
Ursinus College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Ursinus College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegeville. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,903.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,194.
Allegheny College landed the #15 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Allegheny College typically earn about $62,082 annually.
Wilkes University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,942.
Misericordia University came in at #17 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Misericordia University typically earn about $43,648 annually.
La Salle University landed the #18 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of La Salle University earn a median of about $54,978 a year early in their careers.
Albright College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Albright College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Communication Media Studies graduates of Albright College earn a median of about $59,684 a year early in their careers.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the suburb of Millersville. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $52,757 annually.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #21 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of about $40,630 a year early in their careers.
Temple University earned the #22 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,965.
Elizabethtown College came in at #23 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of about $56,121 a year early in their careers.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $46,911 annually.
Mercyhurst College earned the #25 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of about $50,801 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send communication media studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 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.