by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their communication sciences graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Northern Michigan University the top school for communication sciences graduate earnings in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Northern Michigan University typically earn about $68,487 annually.
Saint Xavier University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Saint Xavier University typically earn about $73,380 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in communication sciences will find them at Augustana College Illinois, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,128.
Andrews University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Andrews University typically earn about $66,946 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Rush University earned it the #5 place for communication sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Rush University make a median of around $72,089 per year.
Northwestern University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Northwestern University make a median of around $70,125 per year.
Calvin College earned the #7 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Calvin College make a median of around $62,677 per year.
Marquette University earned the #8 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Marquette University earn a median of about $62,996 a year early in their careers.
Elmhurst College came in at #9 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Elmhurst College make a median of around $60,925 per year.
Eastern Illinois University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Eastern Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Charleston. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,568.
Saint Marys College landed the #11 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Saint Marys College earn a median of about $67,979 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University came in at #12 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Communication Sciences graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $58,552 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from University Of Wisconsin River Falls make a median of around $57,283 per year.
Western Michigan University came in at #14 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Western Michigan University typically earn about $59,349 annually.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $67,270 annually.
Ball State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Ball State University earn a median of about $57,547 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #17 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $55,810 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Oxford came in at #18 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Miami University Oxford make a median of around $56,614 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $57,814 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #20 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $55,175 a year early in their careers.
Governors State University landed the #21 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Governors State University typically earn about $58,133 annually.
Michigan State University came in at #22 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,643.
Northern Illinois University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Northern Illinois University is a public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University typically earn about $59,151 annually.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #24 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville make a median of around $54,353 per year.
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Midwestern University Downers Grove make a median of around $54,979 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid communication sciences ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their communication sciences graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 45 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.