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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Champlain College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in Vermont. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,513.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Michaels College one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Saint Michaels College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Colchester. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Saint Michaels College make a median of around $54,941 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Norwich University, which ranked #3. Norwich University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. Communication Media Studies graduates of Norwich University earn a median of about $37,161 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Vermont Technical College earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. Vermont Technical College is a public school located in the rural area of Randolph. Communication Media Studies graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of about $21,028 a year early in their careers.
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.