by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a communication sciences degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where communication sciences graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose communication sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
San Jose State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools in California. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $89,912 a year early in their careers.
University Of The Pacific came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of The Pacific typically earn about $80,859 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in communication sciences will find them at Loma Linda University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Loma Linda University earn a median of about $84,261 a year early in their careers.
Chapman University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Chapman University earn a median of about $79,836 a year early in their careers.
Biola University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,744.
University Of Redlands placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,092.
San Francisco State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from San Francisco State University make a median of around $82,143 per year.
California State University East Bay came in at #8 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. California State University East Bay is a public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Early-career communication sciences graduates from California State University East Bay make a median of around $79,578 per year.
California Baptist University landed the #9 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Communication Sciences graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of about $53,473 a year early in their careers.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach typically earn about $73,777 annually.
California State University Northridge came in at #11 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $77,312 annually.
California State University Chico landed the #12 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Chico typically earn about $68,739 annually.
San Diego State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $76,980 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton came in at #14 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Early-career communication sciences graduates from California State University Fullerton make a median of around $69,931 per year.
California State University Sacramento landed the #15 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,826.
California State University Fresno earned the #16 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $67,907 a year early in their careers.
University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences landed the #17 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a private for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences earn a median of about $57,409 a year early in their careers.
California State University San Marcos placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,458.
California State University Los Angeles placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles typically earn about $45,345 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries communication sciences 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 · 19 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.