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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find where communication media studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Devry University Florida tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools in Florida. Devry University Florida is a private for-profit school located in the city of Orlando. Communication Media Studies graduates of Devry University Florida earn a median of about $47,760 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Rollins College one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Rollins College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Rollins College make a median of around $58,186 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Florida International University typically earn about $57,042 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $52,016 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Stetson University earned it the #5 place for communication media studies. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Stetson University earn a median of about $59,752 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Florida came in at #6 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. University Of North Florida is a public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of about $50,651 a year early in their careers.
Lynn University earned the #7 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Lynn University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Lynn University typically earn about $42,054 annually.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #8 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University typically earn about $41,679 annually.
The University Of Tampa ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. The University Of Tampa is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of Tampa make a median of around $54,853 per year.
University Of Central Florida ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,282.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $51,525 a year early in their careers.
Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University typically earn about $50,606 annually.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #13 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,418.
Eckerd College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Eckerd College make a median of around $51,879 per year.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach came in at #15 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Palm Beach. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach typically earn about $39,619 annually.
Full Sail University landed the #16 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Full Sail University is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Full Sail University make a median of around $48,047 per year.
Ave Maria University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Ave Maria University typically earn about $36,842 annually.
The University Of West Florida came in at #18 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of West Florida make a median of around $41,017 per year.
Southeastern University landed the #19 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Southeastern University typically earn about $27,983 annually.
Flagler College St Augustine earned the #20 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Flagler College St Augustine is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Augustine. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,434.
Bethune Cookman University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Bethune Cookman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Bethune Cookman University earn a median of about $27,387 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 · 21 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.