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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their communication media studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
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If you want to know which schools send communication media studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Dallas Baptist University the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist 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 $68,864.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Stephen F Austin State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $57,579 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $57,537 annually.
Arizona State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $60,331 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Arizona State University Skysong make a median of around $60,331 per year.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,385.
Texas Tech University earned the #7 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Communication Media Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $66,438 a year early in their careers.
Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University typically earn about $52,842 annually.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of The Incarnate Word make a median of around $50,899 per year.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #10 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus typically earn about $48,543 annually.
Grand Canyon University earned the #11 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Grand Canyon University typically earn about $48,139 annually.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from The University Of Texas At San Antonio make a median of around $41,402 per year.
Texas Southern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Texas Southern University is a public school located in the city of Houston. Communication Media Studies graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of about $33,963 a year early in their careers.
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 · 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.