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 100 schools to find where communication sciences graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in communication sciences, no school beat San Jose State University this year. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Communication Sciences graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $99,007 a year early in their careers.
San Francisco State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in communication sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of about $92,831 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. California State University Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $85,836 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Redlands one of 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 $89,677.
University Of The Pacific came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,285.
Loma Linda University came in at #6 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. 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 $88,391 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fresno earned the #7 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno typically earn about $83,488 annually.
California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $87,239 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University came in at #9 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from San Diego State University make a median of around $83,644 per year.
Chapman University landed the #10 spot for communication sciences salaries 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.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Cuny Brooklyn College make a median of around $79,626 per year.
California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,654.
California Baptist University earned the #13 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Sciences graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of about $78,992 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #14 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from The University Of Texas At El Paso make a median of around $78,910 per year.
California State University Sacramento earned the #15 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $78,900 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Hunter College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Cuny Hunter College make a median of around $93,690 per year.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #17 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Cuny Lehman College is a public school located in the city of Bronx. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,619.
California State University Long Beach ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $83,573 a year early in their careers.
California State University Chico ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Early-career communication sciences graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $80,364 per year.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $70,861 a year early in their careers.
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus typically earn about $84,846 annually.
Cuny Queens College earned the #22 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Cuny Queens College is a public school located in the city of Queens. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queens College typically earn about $75,206 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #23 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Early-career communication sciences graduates from University Of Massachusetts Amherst make a median of around $74,751 per year.
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #24 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Teachers College At Columbia University make a median of around $85,793 per year.
California State University San Marcos placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $74,686 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send communication sciences graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
A few more high-earning communication sciences schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | $72,388 | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Communication Sciences rankings across degree levels:
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 · 100 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.
