by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Communication & Media Studies involves the study of Mass Communication/media Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Analysis And Criticism Of Media Institutions And Media Texts, How People Experience And Understand Media Content, And The Roles Of Media In Producing And Transforming Culture. Includes Instruction In Communications Regulation, Law, And Policy; Media History; Media Aesthetics, Interpretation, And Criticism; The Social And Cultural Effects Of Mass Media; Cultural Studies; The Economics Of Media Industries; Visual And Media Literacy; And The Psychology And Behavioral Aspects Of Media Messages, Interpretation, And Utilization. Examples: [Media Studies]. Continue reading for the essential details every communication & media studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering communication & media studies programs.
Nationwide, communication & media studies is a widely-pursued major, with 8,694 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 314 schools to determine the best overall colleges for communication & media studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of communication & media studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Communication & Media Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations communication & media studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a communication & media studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a communication & media studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several communication & media studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 42 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 215 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,892 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,389 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 156 |
People currently working in careers related to communication & media studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 53.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.8% |
| Some college courses | 8.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in communication & media studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in communication & media studies prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to communication & media studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communication & media studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
| Editors | 11,763 | 3.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of communication & media studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,014 |
| 4 years | $49,526 |
| 5 years | $57,312 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for communication & media studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers communication & media studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
With 314 different communication & media studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased communication & media studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering communication & media studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 32,944 |
| Communication, General | 11,299 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other | 2,273 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
