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 schools below stand out for the salaries their communication sciences graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their communication sciences graduates.
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Below are the schools whose communication sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in communication sciences, no school beat Saint Xavier University 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 #2. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Augustana College Illinois make a median of around $63,128 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication sciences will find them at Rush University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Rush University earn a median of about $72,089 a year early in their careers.
Northwestern University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Northwestern University make a median of around $70,125 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Elmhurst College earned it the #5 place for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of about $60,925 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Illinois University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Eastern Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Charleston. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University typically earn about $62,568 annually.
Illinois State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Illinois State University make a median of around $58,552 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Set 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.
Governors State University landed the #9 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.
Northern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,151.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #11 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located 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 #12 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Downers Grove. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Midwestern University Downers Grove typically earn about $54,979 annually.
Western Illinois University earned the #13 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,006.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $57,773 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 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.