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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their communication media studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their communication media studies graduates.
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Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 for communication media studies graduate salaries in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $65,907 a year early in their careers.
Belmont University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Belmont University earn a median of about $64,813 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of Tennessee make a median of around $57,807 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public school located in the city of Chattanooga. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga typically earn about $48,027 annually.
Middle Tennessee State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $43,823 per year.
Austin Peay State University landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Austin Peay State University make a median of around $44,606 per year.
University Of Memphis landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis typically earn about $41,952 annually.
East Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from East Tennessee State University make a median of around $41,501 per year.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #9 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public school located in the town of Martin. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of Tennessee Martin make a median of around $39,609 per year.
Tennessee State University came in at #10 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Tennessee State University typically earn about $40,921 annually.
Carson Newman College earned the #11 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of about $28,221 a year early in their careers.
Lee University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Lee University make a median of around $27,365 per year.
Trevecca Nazarene University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Trevecca Nazarene University make a median of around $27,053 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.