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 highest-paying schools turn a communication media studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send communication media studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Arizona the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in Arizona. University Of Arizona is a public school located in the city of Tucson. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,141.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $62,225 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $62,225 a year early in their careers.
University Of Phoenix Arizona produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of about $53,606 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #5. 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 $50,666 annually.
Grand Canyon University came in at #6 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set 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 $43,969 annually.
Ottawa University Surprise came in at #7 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Surprise, Ottawa University Surprise is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Ottawa University Surprise earn a median of about $33,465 a year early in their careers.
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 · 7 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.