by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 12 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.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $55,596 a year early in their careers.
University Of Kentucky came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,361.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at University Of Louisville, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Louisville make a median of around $51,634 per year.
Georgetown College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown 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 $52,299.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of about $43,281 a year early in their careers.
Bellarmine University earned the #6 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Bellarmine University typically earn about $51,043 annually.
Western Kentucky University earned the #7 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Western Kentucky University is a public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Western Kentucky University make a median of around $45,754 per year.
Berea College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Berea, Berea 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 $45,220.
Pikeville College came in at #9 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Pikeville College make a median of around $33,438 per year.
Morehead State University landed the #10 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of about $39,457 a year early in their careers.
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College typically earn about $37,978 annually.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #12 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands typically earn about $27,754 annually.
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 · 12 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.