by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send communication media studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Colorado State University Global Campus the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in the Rocky Mountains Region. Colorado State University Global Campus is a public school located in the city of Denver. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Global Campus typically earn about $76,111 annually.
Regis University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Regis University typically earn about $59,164 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Utah Valley University is a public school located in the city of Orem. Communication Media Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of about $61,012 a year early in their careers.
University Of Colorado Boulder produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $66,999 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Utah earned it the #5 place for communication media studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of about $58,546 a year early in their careers.
Weber State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,670.
University Of Denver landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,583.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #8 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo typically earn about $46,747 annually.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver typically earn about $57,243 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $54,306 per year.
Boise State University landed the #11 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Boise State University earn a median of about $54,946 a year early in their careers.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #12 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Salt Lake Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Salt Lake Community College make a median of around $42,285 per year.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,322.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #14 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Communication Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of about $49,858 a year early in their careers.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,311.
Westminster College Utah ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Westminster College Utah is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Westminster College Utah typically earn about $53,741 annually.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Dixie State College Of Utah make a median of around $53,376 per year.
Southern Utah University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University typically earn about $50,072 annually.
The University Of Montana placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of Montana make a median of around $47,859 per year.
Idaho State University earned the #20 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Idaho State University make a median of around $46,495 per year.
Colorado Christian University came in at #21 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,623.
Mesa State College landed the #22 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Mesa State College is a public school located in the city of Grand Junction. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Mesa State College typically earn about $45,866 annually.
Utah State University earned the #23 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of about $37,574 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #24 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a public school located in the city of Pueblo. Communication Media Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of about $43,818 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wyoming ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,985.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning communication media studies graduates:
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 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.