by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 381 U.S. colleges awarded 22,960 degrees and certificates in Communication Sciences. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 330 schools in its 2027 Best Communication Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $53,039 one year after completing, rising to $64,247 after four years.
Communication Sciences is a field that includes everything from language pathology to dentistry. As a Communications Sciences major, you will take classes in speech pathology, audiology, dentistry, phonetics, language disorders, anatomy, radiology, and more to learn everything about the mouth and communication.
Communication Sciences is a broad field. It is possible to obtain a degree in General Communication Sciences and Disorders, however many concentrations are available. Some examples of these are Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, Dentistry, Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dental Public Health and Education, Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, and Pediatric Dentistry among others.
A degree in Communication Sciences covers Communication Disorders Sciences And Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., communication sciences draws strong interest, with 22,960 degrees awarded annually. 381 colleges award communication sciences degrees, an average of 60 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 346.
By level, the 22,960 awards include 60 certificates, 247 associate degrees, 10,217 bachelor’s degrees, 11,338 master’s degrees and 1,098 doctorates.
Women earned 96% of communication sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (21,986 of 22,960). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (14,675) and Hispanic or Latino (4,281), and international students earned 324.
College Factual ranks 330 schools in its 2027 Best Communication Sciences Schools ranking, including 7 for associate degrees, 238 for bachelor’s degrees, 296 for master’s degrees and 43 for doctorates. It also ranks communication sciences schools within 51 states. In all, 381 colleges offer communication sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Communication Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common communication sciences credential is the master’s degree: 11,338 of the 22,960 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to communication sciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
A degree in Communications Sciences leads to a career working closely with both children and adults, placing a high importance on interpersonal skills. Professionals who work with patients who have trouble communicating should be patient and compassionate. Critical thinking and analytical skills will help professionals assess issues patients have and find ways to solve communication or dental problems. Students who are successful in this field are also detail oriented and able to work with multiple patients throughout the day.
A Communication Science career is a fulltime job. Professionals typically work during the week and hold normal business hours. Time is usually spent in a medical office.
Students interested in majoring in Communication Science should pursue an internship, summer job, or position in a summer field camp to learn about the multiple areas of specialization and decide what career path to follow. These experiences will allow you to learn from a professional and practice skills you learned in the classroom.
While this degree prepares you to pursue a career in a variety of Communication Sciences fields, you must still receive an advanced degree and certification in the area of medicine you wish to work. State requirements vary, so be sure to check with the state you wish to practice to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a communication sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 60 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 247 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10,217 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,338 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,098 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to communication sciences, at 42.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 42.2% |
| Master’s degree | 33.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Communication Sciences, with an average median salary of $49,571; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Lecturer, Clinical Laboratory Science Professor, Radiologic Technology Teacher and Public Health Teacher.
Communication Science graduates usually pursue an advanced degree and certification to become speech specialists or dentists. Graduates hold positions in a variety of health clinics or private offices. Some graduates have gone on to open their own practices.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to communication sciences, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Audiologists | 860,629 | 5.4% |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 430,857 | 4.4% |
Communication Sciences graduates earn a median $53,039 one year after completing their program, $64,247 after four years and $63,125 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,039 |
| 4 years | $64,247 |
| 5 years | $63,125 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to communication sciences is Audiologists, with a median salary of $54,746.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Audiologists | $54,746 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $47,305 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Communication Sciences includes 5 concentrations that together award 22,960 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist (7,289), Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist (7,260) and Communication Sciences and Disorders, General (7,099). It has 30 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,014,500 degrees a year; the largest are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (318,053), Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (110,132) and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (98,474). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | 7,289 |
| Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | 7,260 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders, General | 7,099 |
| Audiology/Audiologist | 1,025 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other | 287 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
