by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a communication media studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
The right communication media studies school can pay off in your paycheck for years to come. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Communication Media Studies Graduates ranking. We rank each school on the early-career earnings of its communication media studies graduates to surface the highest-paying programs.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Communication Media Studies Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools send communication media studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $147,928 annually.
Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $104,690 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at George Washington University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from George Washington University make a median of around $90,709 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in communication media studies will find them at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University typically earn about $101,413 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at American University earned it the #5 place for communication media studies. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,844.
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University Of Southern California came in at #6 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $96,903 annually.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $79,601 per year.
University Of Denver placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Communication Media Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of about $80,469 a year early in their careers.
Emerson College came in at #9 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Emerson College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,644.
Dallas Baptist University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University typically earn about $68,864 annually.
Weber State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of about $67,928 a year early in their careers.
Washington State University came in at #12 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Washington State University make a median of around $74,440 per year.
Northeastern University Global Network came in at #13 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Northeastern University Global Network typically earn about $78,181 annually.
University Of Florida came in at #14 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $74,884 per year.
Marquette University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,169.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #16 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins typically earn about $63,088 annually.
California State University Fullerton came in at #17 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $87,316 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University earned the #18 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $81,064 annually.
National University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,817.
Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,750.
Florida International University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Florida International University make a median of around $74,742 per year.
Wayne State University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,681.
Lasell College landed the #23 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Lasell College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Lasell College typically earn about $67,988 annually.
Webster University came in at #24 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,594.
The University Of Alabama earned the #25 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of about $59,911 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send communication media studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries communication media studies 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 · 70 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.
