by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Communications involves the study of Communication, General. A Program That Focuses On The Comprehensive Study Of Communication, And That Spans The Study Of Mass Communication/media Studies, Old And New Media Technologies, Social And Political Applications, And Speech Communication And Rhetoric. Includes Instruction In Interpersonal, Group, Organizational, And Intercultural Communication; Theories Of Communication; Critical Thinking, Argumentation, And Persuasion; Written Communication; Printed, Electronic, And Digital Media; Rhetorical Tradition And Criticism; Media, Society, And Culture; Consequences And Effects Of Mass Media; Media Social Science And Criticism; And Quantitative And Qualitative Methods Of Inquiry. Examples: [Communication]. Read on to learn the essential details every communications major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering communications programs.
In the U.S., communications is a widely-pursued major, with 11,299 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Communications Schools ranking analyzes these 366 schools to determine the best overall colleges for communications students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of communications programs later in this article.
Programs in Communications develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations communications graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a communications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a communications major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several communications 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 | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 405 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,658 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,182 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 52 |
People currently working in careers related to communications tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.6% |
| Master’s degree | 32.4% |
| Some college courses | 9.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in communications careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in communications can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to communications.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communications.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Fundraising Managers | 340,731 | -1.0% |
| Fundraisers | 340,575 | 12.6% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 160,960 | 8.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of communications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 communications graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers communications grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Fundraising Managers | $90,350 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
With 366 different communications programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased communications school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in communications, 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 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 8,694 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other | 2,273 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
