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 schools below stand out for the salaries their communication media studies graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 4 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.
Bethany College West Virginia earned the #1 spot for highest-paid communication media studies graduates in West Virginia. Set in the rural area of Bethany, Bethany College West Virginia is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Bethany College West Virginia typically earn about $48,648 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at West Liberty University, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from West Liberty University make a median of around $41,375 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at West Virginia State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Institute, West Virginia State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,928.
Shepherd University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,523.
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 · 4 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.