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 22 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.
Our analysis ranked Walden University the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Walden University earn a median of about $58,928 a year early in their careers.
Gustavus Adolphus College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College typically earn about $62,102 annually.
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from College Of Saint Benedict make a median of around $63,773 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan State University one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $60,038 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at St Catherine University earned it the #5 place for communication media studies. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Communication Media Studies graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of about $55,753 a year early in their careers.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #6 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato typically earn about $60,606 annually.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #7 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Saint Cloud State University make a median of around $57,161 per year.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #8 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public school located in the city of Duluth. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,878.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #9 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota typically earn about $56,649 annually.
Hamline University came in at #10 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Hamline University typically earn about $52,859 annually.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #11 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Concordia University Saint Paul make a median of around $46,327 per year.
Bethany Lutheran College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Bethany Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Bethany Lutheran College typically earn about $45,502 annually.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,100.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #14 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,764.
Winona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Winona State University is a public school located in the town of Winona. Communication Media Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of about $54,159 a year early in their careers.
University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #16 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Minnesota Crookston make a median of around $42,458 per year.
Augsburg College earned the #17 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Augsburg College typically earn about $47,726 annually.
Saint Johns University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Saint Johns University typically earn about $40,423 annually.
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota typically earn about $40,330 annually.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #20 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead make a median of around $45,103 per year.
Bemidji State University landed the #21 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,243.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Rochester Community And Technical College make a median of around $27,798 per year.
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 · 22 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.