by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Sports Communication explores Sports Communication. A Program That Focuses On The Methods And Techniques For Communicating About Sports In A Variety Of Formats, Media, And Contexts; And That Prepares Individuals To Be Sports Reporters And Writers, Photojournalists, Radio And Television Announcers, Producers And Directors, Recreational Sports Promoters, And Public Relations Specialists. Includes Instruction In Sports Writing, Photography, Broadcast Journalism, Sports Production, Game Rules, Media And Public Relations, And Sports Promotion. Read on to learn the key facts every sports communication student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering sports communication programs.
Nationwide, sports communication is a popular field of study, with 1,202 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Sports Communication Schools ranking analyzes these 80 schools to determine the best overall colleges for sports communication students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sports communication programs later in this article.
Coursework for Sports Communication build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations sports communication graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a sports communication program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a sports communication major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several sports 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 814 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 382 |
People currently working in careers related to sports communication tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 45.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in sports communication careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in sports communication prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to sports communication.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sports communication.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 241,360 | 10.8% |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 160,960 | 8.2% |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | 127,872 | 7.5% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of sports communication graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 sports communication graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers sports communication grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $96,762 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | $51,873 |
With 80 different sports communication programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased sports communication school rankings to help you.
Students interested in sports communication, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
