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.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send communication sciences graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is West Virginia University, our #1 for communication sciences graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. West Virginia University is a public school located in the city of Morgantown. Early-career communication sciences graduates from West Virginia University make a median of around $70,136 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication sciences will find them at James Madison University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,730.
East Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. East Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Greenville. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,426.
Students chasing top earnings in communication sciences will find them at Radford University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Radford University make a median of around $60,400 per year.
University Of Georgia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of about $60,086 a year early in their careers.
Hampton University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Hampton University make a median of around $59,837 per year.
University Of Kentucky ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,562.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Early-career communication sciences graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $59,354 per year.
Longwood University came in at #9 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Longwood University earn a median of about $58,281 a year early in their careers.
Harding University came in at #10 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Harding University typically earn about $57,767 annually.
University Of Arkansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from University Of Arkansas make a median of around $56,750 per year.
Mississippi University For Women landed the #12 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of about $56,343 a year early in their careers.
Western Kentucky University earned the #13 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Western Kentucky University is a public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Western Kentucky University make a median of around $55,579 per year.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University typically earn about $55,236 annually.
Auburn University earned the #15 position for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,812.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University typically earn about $54,739 annually.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Early-career communication sciences graduates from Arkansas State University Main Campus make a median of around $52,743 per year.
University Of Montevallo came in at #18 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of about $52,202 a year early in their careers.
Valdosta State University came in at #19 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,114.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #20 for communication sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. Early-career communication sciences graduates from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro make a median of around $49,671 per year.
Marshall University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of Marshall University earn a median of about $49,602 a year early in their careers.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution. Students who complete the communication sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,437.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $48,263 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for communication sciences. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. Early-career communication sciences graduates from University Of Southern Mississippi make a median of around $48,228 per year.
Murray State University landed the #25 spot for communication sciences salaries this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a public institution. After graduating, communication sciences degree recipients from Murray State University typically earn about $45,661 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning communication sciences graduates:
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.
