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 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their communication media studies graduates.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Fairfield University the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in Connecticut. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield 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 $72,991.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Connecticut earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,876.
Strong graduate earnings at Quinnipiac University earned it the #3 place for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Quinnipiac University typically earn about $63,903 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Sacred Heart University one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $72,884 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Hartford one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of about $52,358 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #6 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University typically earn about $49,964 annually.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Southern Connecticut State University is a public school located in the city of New Haven. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Southern Connecticut State University make a median of around $52,303 per year.
Central Connecticut State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University typically earn about $50,047 annually.
Western Connecticut State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,487.
Mitchell College landed the #10 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Mitchell College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,263.
University Of New Haven landed the #11 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of about $27,918 a year early in their careers.
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 · 11 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.