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. The highest-paying schools turn a communication media studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 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.
Marymount University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools in Virginia. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Marymount University typically earn about $69,844 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #2 place for communication media studies. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $79,620 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,239.
James Madison University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,067.
A rank of #5 makes Randolph Macon College one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. Communication Media Studies graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $62,066 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan 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 $47,949.
Christopher Newport University landed the #7 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Christopher Newport University is a public school located in the city of Newport News. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Christopher Newport University typically earn about $58,422 annually.
Lynchburg College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Lynchburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Lynchburg College make a median of around $45,474 per year.
Radford University earned the #9 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Radford University make a median of around $53,692 per year.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,586.
Longwood University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Longwood University earn a median of about $55,140 a year early in their careers.
Liberty University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Liberty University typically earn about $45,741 annually.
Bridgewater College earned the #13 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Bridgewater College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Bridgewater College make a median of around $47,450 per year.
Roanoke College earned the #14 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Roanoke College typically earn about $36,220 annually.
Regent University landed the #15 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,955.
Virginia State University came in at #16 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Virginia State University typically earn about $45,992 annually.
Virginia Union University landed the #17 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Virginia Union University typically earn about $31,507 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 17 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.