by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Political Communication covers Political Communication. A Program That Focuses On Human And Media Communication In The Political Process And That Prepares Individuals To Function As Members Of Political And Public Affairs Organizations, Political Campaign Staffs, And Related Government And Media Entities. Includes Instruction In Media Effects, Political Speaking And Debating, Political Advertising And Marketing, Image Management, Political Journalism, Opinion Polling, And Aspects Of Print And Broadcast Media Related To The Production And Distribution Of Media Messages In Political Settings. Read on to learn the key facts every political communication major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering political communication programs.
In the U.S., political communication is a popular field of study, with 211 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Political Communication Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for political communication students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of political communication programs later in this article.
Coursework for Political Communication develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations political communication graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a political communication program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a political communication major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several political communication 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 67 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 144 |
People currently working in careers related to political communication tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 45.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in political communication careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying political communication opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to political communication.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to political communication.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Fundraisers | 340,575 | 12.6% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of political communication graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,317 |
| 4 years | $55,248 |
| 5 years | $64,495 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for political communication graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers political communication grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
With 8 different political communication programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased political communication school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in political communication, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Advertising | 4,308 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 4,077 |
| Public Relations/Image Management | 4,061 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communications | 1,956 |
| Organizational Communication, General | 1,789 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other | 1,296 |
| Sports Communication | 1,202 |
| Health Communication | 362 |
| Technical and Scientific Communication | 191 |
| International and Intercultural Communication | 183 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
