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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the early-career earnings of their communication media studies graduates.
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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.
For graduate earnings in communication media studies, no school beat Central College this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Central College typically earn about $54,294 annually.
University Of Iowa produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,848.
Strong graduate earnings at Morningside College earned it the #3 place for communication media studies. Morningside College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Communication Media Studies graduates of Morningside College earn a median of about $46,719 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place for communication media studies. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,664.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Luther College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Luther College make a median of around $52,931 per year.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #6 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa typically earn about $52,777 annually.
Wartburg College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of about $48,297 a year early in their careers.
Drake University came in at #8 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Communication Media Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of about $56,361 a year early in their careers.
Loras College landed the #9 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Communication Media Studies graduates of Loras College earn a median of about $36,821 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.