Communication and Media Studies programs

CIP 0901 · Communication & Journalism · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

721 institutions report graduate earnings for Communication and Media Studies programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $54,558 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41× and 76% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 45 of the 787 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Master's	$120,003 n=36	90% 5yr	$73,250	0.61×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
2	Northwestern UniversityIL · Master's	$116,101 n=76	77% 5yr	$55,813	0.48×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
3	University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$114,266 n=37	92% 5yr	$15,000	0.13×	Above +203%	Clears 2/2
4	University of FloridaFL · Grad cert	$110,796 n=18	–	–	–	Above +100%	–
5	Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's	$107,409 n=86	93% 5yr	$39,737	0.37×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
6	Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's	$97,115 n=51	93% 5yr	$36,345	0.37×	Above +28%	Below 1/2
7	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's	$97,115 n=51	93% 5yr	$36,345	0.37×	Above +28%	Below 1/2
8	American UniversityDC · Master's	$94,424 n=127	100% 5yr	$51,250	0.54×	Above +9%	Clears 2/2
9	Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$93,541 n=67	88% 5yr	$17,687	0.19×	Above +148%	Clears 2/2
10	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's	$91,873 n=229	80%	$70,426	0.77×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
11	Cornell UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$88,463 n=64	91% 5yr	$14,400	0.16×	Above +133%	Clears 2/2
12	University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Master's	$88,174 n=23	89% 1yr	–	–	Above +50%	–
13	Wayne State UniversityMI · Master's	$87,918 n=28	88% 1yr	$33,381	0.38×	Above +40%	–
14	University of FloridaFL · Master's	$86,823 n=98	91% 5yr	$29,671	0.34×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
15	Washington State UniversityWA · Master's	$86,450 n=51	93% 5yr	$26,714	0.31×	Above +16%	Below 1/2
16	University of DenverCO · Master's	$86,020 n=73	84% 5yr	$47,481	0.55×	Above +27%	Below 1/2
17	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Grad cert	$85,278 n=150	93% 5yr	$22,260	0.26×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
18	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Master's	$84,920 n=307	95% 5yr	$34,280	0.40×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
19	Weber State UniversityUT · Master's	$84,841 n=22	94% 1yr	–	–	Above +42%	–
20	San Diego State UniversityCA · Master's	$84,280 n=30	91% 5yr	$38,096	0.45×	Above +12%	Clears 2/2
21	Santa Clara UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$84,206 n=71	86% 5yr	$17,832	0.21×	Above +119%	Clears 2/2
22	Westminster UniversityUT · Master's	$83,871 n=24	83% 1yr	$41,000	0.49×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
23	Boston CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$83,586 n=143	95%	$18,000	0.21×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
24	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Doctoral	$82,068 n=17	89% 1yr	–	–	Above +34%	–
25	Regis CollegeMA · Master's	$81,615 n=16	–	–	–	Above +8%	–
26	Villanova UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$81,497 n=162	93% 5yr	$26,228	0.32×	Above +116%	Clears 2/2
27	Regent UniversityVA · Doctoral	$81,331 n=30	100% 1yr	$115,215	1.42×	Above +14%	Clears 2/2
28	Lasell UniversityMA · Master's	$80,449 n=34	85% 5yr	$30,634	0.38×	Above +6%	Below 1/2
29	Boston UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$80,306 n=347	78%	$23,250	0.29×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
30	Northeastern UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$80,191 n=126	100%	$21,500	0.27×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
31	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Bachelor's	$80,191 n=126	100%	$21,500	0.27×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
32	University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's	$79,648 n=231	95% 5yr	$19,941	0.25×	Above +127%	Clears 2/2
33	George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$79,112 n=37	86% 5yr	$25,000	0.32×	Above +119%	Clears 2/2
34	Emory UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$78,866 n=17	–	$21,000	0.27×	Above +123%	–
35	Fairfield UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$78,081 n=91	92% 5yr	$26,919	0.34×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
36	Wake Forest UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$77,984 n=72	91% 5yr	$22,250	0.28×	Above +127%	Clears 2/2
37	Fordham UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$77,244 n=213	96%	$24,615	0.32×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
38	Marquette UniversityWI · Master's	$76,959 n=22	100% 5yr	–	–	Above +25%	Below 1/2
39	Tulane University of LouisianaLA · Bachelor's	$76,945 n=53	72% 5yr	$23,082	0.30×	Above +121%	Clears 2/2
40	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLA · Master's	$76,869 n=17	82% 5yr	–	–	Above +34%	Below 1/2
41	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Doctoral	$76,868 n=17	–	–	–	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
42	Regent UniversityVA · Master's	$76,612 n=30	69% 5yr	$45,435	0.59×	Above +8%	Below 1/2
43	Queens University of CharlotteNC · Master's	$76,244 n=55	91% 5yr	$48,500	0.64×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
44	University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Bachelor's	$76,243 n=94	94% 5yr	$20,500	0.27×	Above +100%	Clears 2/2
45	Roanoke CollegeVA · Bachelor's	$76,198 n=41	66% 1yr	$26,820	0.35×	Above +100%	–
46	Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Master's	$76,100 n=18	–	–	–	Above +7%	–
47	Purdue University GlobalIN · Bachelor's	$75,906 n=21	100%	$39,375	0.52×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
48	Liberty UniversityVA · Master's	$75,900 n=36	83% 1yr	$31,512	0.41×	Above +7%	Below 1/2
49	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$75,864 n=198	100%	$15,875	0.21×	Above +97%	Clears 2/2
50	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Doctoral	$75,616 n=22	–	–	–	Above +18%	–
51	University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's	$75,612 n=208	47%	$11,100	0.15×	Above +97%	Clears 2/2
52	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's	$75,223 n=44	80% 5yr	$14,857	0.20×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
53	Marist UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$74,726 n=294	80%	$25,000	0.34×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
54	Grand Valley State UniversityMI · Master's	$74,663 n=18	76% 1yr	–	–	Above +19%	–
55	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Master's	$74,479 n=20	97% 5yr	$41,000	0.55×	Below -3%	Below 1/2
56	Manhattan UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$74,471 n=93	83% 5yr	$25,500	0.34×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
57	University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's	$74,402 n=265	83%	$17,250	0.23×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
58	Lynn UniversityFL · Master's	$74,356 n=23	–	$26,786	0.36×	Above +34%	–
59	Elon UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$73,750 n=169	77%	$21,999	0.30×	Above +115%	Clears 2/2
60	Hobart William Smith CollegesNY · Bachelor's	$73,650 n=61	90% 5yr	$26,500	0.36×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
61	Gonzaga UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$73,558 n=27	72% 1yr	$21,875	0.30×	Above +73%	–
62	The New SchoolNY · Master's	$73,507 n=71	100%	$53,304	0.72×	Above +4%	Below 1/2
63	Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$73,461 n=65	100%	$18,777	0.26×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
64	The Catholic University of AmericaDC · Bachelor's	$73,073 n=30	91% 5yr	$27,000	0.37×	Above +102%	Clears 2/2
65	University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's	$72,976 n=419	64%	$13,000	0.18×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
66	St Lawrence UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$72,839 n=45	87% 5yr	$25,000	0.34×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
67	University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's	$72,778 n=309	71%	$13,000	0.18×	Above +89%	Clears 2/2
68	University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$72,758 n=238	59%	$18,910	0.26×	Above +98%	Clears 2/2
69	CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNY · Bachelor's	$72,564 n=38	75% 1yr	$12,901	0.18×	Above +91%	–
70	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's	$72,210 n=158	71% 1yr	$19,500	0.27×	Above +102%	–
71	Loyola University MarylandMD · Bachelor's	$71,948 n=122	72%	$27,000	0.38×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
72	Florida International UniversityFL · Master's	$71,218 n=98	91% 5yr	$34,653	0.49×	Above +28%	Clears 2/2
73	Simmons UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$71,138 n=29	80% 5yr	$23,250	0.33×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
74	Stonehill CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$70,618 n=46	86% 5yr	$25,000	0.35×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
75	Roger Williams UniversityRI · Bachelor's	$70,575 n=62	93% 5yr	$26,000	0.37×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
76	Texas State UniversityTX · Master's	$70,534 n=31	76% 1yr	$20,500	0.29×	Above +8%	–
77	University of OregonOR · Bachelor's	$70,532 n=24	–	$16,500	0.23×	Above +92%	–
78	University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's	$70,414 n=197	98% 5yr	$24,296	0.34×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
79	Willamette UniversityOR · Bachelor's	$70,412 n=30	–	$21,500	0.30×	Above +92%	–
80	University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Bachelor's	$70,240 n=628	33%	$14,625	0.21×	Above +105%	Clears 2/2
81	Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$70,106 n=115	90% 5yr	$26,000	0.37×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
82	CUNY City CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$69,948 n=109	67%	$14,858	0.21×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
83	Pace UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$69,876 n=186	70%	$26,000	0.37×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
84	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's	$69,709 n=408	40%	$21,500	0.31×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
85	University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Doctoral	$69,654 n=18	–	–	–	Above +13%	–
86	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · Bachelor's	$69,573 n=68	83% 5yr	$25,870	0.37×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
87	Gustavus Adolphus CollegeMN · Bachelor's	$69,423 n=49	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.39×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
88	Saint Anselm CollegeNH · Bachelor's	$69,288 n=39	87% 5yr	$27,000	0.39×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
89	DePauw UniversityIN · Bachelor's	$69,228 n=73	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.39×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
90	Loyola Marymount UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$69,144 n=157	76%	$17,750	0.26×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
91	University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineNH · Bachelor's	$69,098 n=283	63%	$25,990	0.38×	Above +56%	–
92	University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNH · Bachelor's	$69,098 n=283	63%	$25,990	0.38×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
93	University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's	$69,098 n=283	63%	$25,990	0.38×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
94	Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's	$69,034 n=25	56% 1yr	$26,000	0.38×	Above +83%	–
95	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · UG cert	$68,990 n=136	87% 5yr	$24,188	0.35×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
96	University of Nevada-RenoNV · Bachelor's	$68,953 n=67	86% 5yr	$17,232	0.25×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
97	University of San DiegoCA · Bachelor's	$68,913 n=97	86% 5yr	$24,000	0.35×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
98	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$68,843 n=16	76% 1yr	$19,680	0.29×	Above +73%	–
99	Sonoma State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$68,833 n=100	85% 5yr	$17,877	0.26×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
100	The College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's	$68,654 n=123	71%	$19,500	0.28×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
101	Florida State UniversityFL · Post-bacc cert	$68,613 n=24	70% 1yr	–	–	Above +24%	–
102	University of San FranciscoCA · Bachelor's	$68,592 n=119	75%	$21,875	0.32×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
103	University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's	$68,542 n=388	81%	$21,036	0.31×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
104	University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's	$68,542 n=388	81%	$21,036	0.31×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
105	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's	$68,542 n=388	81%	$21,036	0.31×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
106	University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's	$68,542 n=388	81%	$21,036	0.31×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
107	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's	$68,542 n=388	81%	$21,036	0.31×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
108	Bryant UniversityRI · Bachelor's	$68,518 n=49	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.39×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
109	DePaul UniversityIL · Master's	$68,404 n=17	82% 5yr	$34,166	0.50×	Below +0%	Below 2/2
110	University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$68,319 n=111	78%	$17,250	0.25×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
111	Austin Peay State UniversityTN · Master's	$68,264 n=30	–	$31,619	0.46×	Above +20%	Below 1/2
112	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's	$68,073 n=48	84% 5yr	$26,250	0.39×	Above +11%	Below 1/2
113	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Master's	$68,073 n=48	84% 5yr	$26,250	0.39×	Above +11%	Below 1/2
114	Washington & Jefferson CollegePA · Bachelor's	$68,066 n=23	68% 1yr	$27,000	0.40×	Above +81%	–
115	Woodbury UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$68,020 n=16	–	$22,750	0.33×	Above +77%	–
116	American UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$67,863 n=29	100%	$22,611	0.33×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
117	East Carolina UniversityNC · Master's	$67,749 n=20	–	–	–	Above +15%	–
118	University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's	$67,302 n=255	73%	$13,193	0.20×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
119	University of DaytonOH · Bachelor's	$67,231 n=165	73%	$25,000	0.37×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
120	University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Bachelor's	$67,181 n=122	74%	$23,000	0.34×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
121	Sacred Heart UniversityCT · Master's	$66,974 n=18	61% 1yr	$35,500	0.53×	Below -11%	Below 2/2
122	University of La VerneCA · Bachelor's	$66,891 n=43	87% 5yr	$22,655	0.34×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
123	Denison UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$66,730 n=62	92% 5yr	$25,000	0.38×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
124	University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's	$66,623 n=144	100%	$16,500	0.25×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
125	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's	$66,439 n=292	89%	$18,850	0.28×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
126	James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$66,436 n=404	76%	$20,500	0.31×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
127	California State University-FullertonCA · Master's	$66,353 n=35	96% 5yr	$20,343	0.31×	Below -12%	Below 1/2
128	Saint Mary's CollegeIN · Bachelor's	$66,335 n=37	80% 5yr	$27,000	0.41×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
129	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$66,106 n=215	80%	$20,500	0.31×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
130	Queens University of CharlotteNC · Bachelor's	$65,985 n=28	75% 5yr	$26,975	0.41×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
131	Lindenwood UniversityMO · Master's	$65,942 n=41	76% 5yr	$30,750	0.47×	Above +14%	Below 1/2
132	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's	$65,517 n=154	93% 5yr	$17,375	0.27×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
133	Norwich UniversityVT · Bachelor's	$65,497 n=16	–	$27,000	0.41×	Above +67%	–
134	McDaniel CollegeMD · Bachelor's	$65,411 n=33	92% 5yr	$24,500	0.38×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
135	West Valley CollegeCA · Associate	$65,280 n=42	–	–	–	Above +70%	–
136	Webster UniversityMO · Master's	$65,188 n=28	81% 5yr	$48,635	0.75×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
137	College of San MateoCA · Associate	$65,120 n=37	–	–	–	Above +69%	–
138	University of St ThomasMN · Bachelor's	$64,917 n=41	84% 1yr	$26,125	0.40×	Above +62%	–
139	Lake Forest CollegeIL · Bachelor's	$64,580 n=44	90% 5yr	$27,000	0.42×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
140	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's	$64,533 n=308	70%	$15,750	0.24×	Above +80%	Clears 2/2
141	University of Rhode IslandRI · Bachelor's	$64,520 n=293	54%	$22,813	0.35×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
142	Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$64,456 n=40	89% 5yr	$19,500	0.30×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
143	College of Saint BenedictMN · Bachelor's	$64,430 n=25	94% 5yr	$27,000	0.42×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
144	Merrimack CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$64,345 n=52	49% 1yr	$25,783	0.40×	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
145	University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Bachelor's	$64,153 n=413	100%	$15,000	0.23×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
146	University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's	$64,153 n=413	100%	$15,000	0.23×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
147	University of Washington-Tacoma CampusWA · Bachelor's	$64,153 n=413	100%	$15,000	0.23×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
148	University of Wisconsin-OshkoshWI · Bachelor's	$64,103 n=53	91% 5yr	$26,000	0.41×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
149	Furman UniversitySC · Bachelor's	$64,014 n=42	94% 5yr	$22,631	0.35×	Above +86%	Clears 2/2
150	Keene State CollegeNH · Bachelor's	$63,995 n=80	85%	$25,000	0.39×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
151	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Bachelor's	$63,855 n=289	25%	$20,500	0.32×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
152	Augsburg UniversityMN · Bachelor's	$63,850 n=43	80% 5yr	$25,000	0.39×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
153	Evergreen Valley CollegeCA · Associate	$63,835 n=19	–	–	–	Above +66%	–
154	San Francisco State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$63,731 n=388	45%	$13,703	0.21×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
155	Augustana CollegeIL · Bachelor's	$63,730 n=54	83% 5yr	$26,375	0.41×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
156	SUNY College at GeneseoNY · Bachelor's	$63,577 n=105	85% 5yr	$19,500	0.31×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
157	Texas Christian UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$63,531 n=98	77%	$21,500	0.34×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
158	National UniversityCA · Master's	$63,474 n=27	85% 5yr	$28,604	0.45×	Below -16%	Below 2/2
159	State University of New York at CortlandNY · Bachelor's	$63,431 n=119	84%	$21,500	0.34×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
160	University of DenverCO · Bachelor's	$63,374 n=50	100%	$20,666	0.33×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
161	La Salle UniversityPA · Master's	$63,334 n=23	–	$32,942	0.52×	Below -1%	Below 2/2
162	Pennsylvania Western UniversityPA · Master's	$63,323 n=26	88% 5yr	–	–	Below -1%	–
163	University of UtahUT · Bachelor's	$63,309 n=280	40%	$17,500	0.28×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
164	Towson UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$63,292 n=271	96%	$17,989	0.28×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
165	Quinnipiac UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$63,012 n=45	86% 5yr	$23,250	0.37×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
166	University at BuffaloNY · Bachelor's	$62,912 n=190	62%	$19,500	0.31×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
167	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Bachelor's	$62,882 n=104	74%	$21,896	0.35×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
168	Marymount Manhattan CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$62,844 n=57	83% 5yr	$24,500	0.39×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
169	Endicott CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$62,840 n=24	89% 5yr	$27,000	0.43×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
170	Colorado State University GlobalCO · Bachelor's	$62,743 n=101	86% 5yr	$23,187	0.37×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
171	Utah Valley UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$62,566 n=205	61%	$13,942	0.22×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
172	Westmont CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$62,535 n=28	63% 1yr	$23,250	0.37×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
173	SUNY BrockportNY · Bachelor's	$62,532 n=54	67%	$19,969	0.32×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
174	University of HartfordCT · Bachelor's	$62,464 n=63	89%	$26,374	0.42×	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
175	Seattle Pacific UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$62,411 n=57	90% 5yr	$25,137	0.40×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
176	Washington State UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$62,406 n=70	100%	$19,500	0.31×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
177	Hofstra UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$62,361 n=22	–	$23,500	0.38×	Above +64%	–
178	John Carroll UniversityOH · Bachelor's	$62,270 n=82	89% 5yr	$27,000	0.43×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
179	Texas Southern UniversityTX · Master's	$62,147 n=29	–	$50,573	0.81×	Below -5%	–
180	Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's	$62,096 n=562	86%	$19,822	0.32×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
181	Rollins CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$62,086 n=92	74%	$25,200	0.41×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
182	North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Bachelor's	$62,039 n=222	30%	$20,000	0.32×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
183	Illinois State UniversityIL · Master's	$62,006 n=45	92% 5yr	$19,775	0.32×	Below -9%	Below 2/2
184	Ashford UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$61,909 n=79	79%	$33,341	0.54×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
185	University of Puget SoundWA · Bachelor's	$61,904 n=43	47% 1yr	$27,000	0.44×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
186	Randolph-Macon CollegeVA · Bachelor's	$61,867 n=48	97% 5yr	$27,000	0.44×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
187	East Tennessee State UniversityTN · Master's	$61,720 n=21	62% 1yr	$32,156	0.52×	Above +8%	–
188	College of Staten Island CUNYNY · Bachelor's	$61,691 n=71	70%	$11,750	0.19×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
189	Georgia State UniversityGA · Master's	$61,655 n=25	85% 5yr	$29,242	0.47×	Below -2%	Below 2/2
190	California Lutheran UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$61,653 n=81	57%	$20,802	0.34×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
191	The University of AlabamaAL · Bachelor's	$61,548 n=112	60%	$24,459	0.40×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
192	CUNY Queens CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$61,501 n=73	97%	$12,500	0.20×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
193	Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's	$61,434 n=203	76%	$20,500	0.33×	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
194	Skyline CollegeCA · Associate	$61,426 n=18	–	–	–	Above +60%	–
195	San Diego State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$61,389 n=241	40%	$15,000	0.24×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
196	Metropolitan State UniversityMN · Bachelor's	$61,355 n=90	87% 5yr	$20,364	0.33×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
197	La Salle UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$61,347 n=90	39%	$27,000	0.44×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
198	Bellevue UniversityNE · Bachelor's	$61,294 n=22	–	$19,000	0.31×	Above +65%	–
199	University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's	$61,270 n=220	69%	$20,500	0.34×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
200	University of Nebraska at OmahaNE · Bachelor's	$61,220 n=38	88% 5yr	$17,936	0.29×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
201	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$61,193 n=906	60%	$19,202	0.31×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
202	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$61,193 n=906	60%	$19,202	0.31×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
203	Oregon State UniversityOR · Bachelor's	$61,096 n=70	51%	$19,828	0.33×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
204	Oregon State University-Cascades CampusOR · Bachelor's	$61,096 n=70	51%	$19,828	0.33×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
205	Ursinus CollegePA · Bachelor's	$61,017 n=41	78% 5yr	$27,000	0.44×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
206	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Bachelor's	$61,007 n=181	50%	$19,500	0.32×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
207	Eckerd CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$60,969 n=22	77% 5yr	$20,500	0.34×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
208	University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMD · Bachelor's	$60,957 n=78	80%	$20,500	0.34×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
209	State University of New York at New PaltzNY · Bachelor's	$60,929 n=55	100%	$18,500	0.30×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
210	University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Bachelor's	$60,891 n=219	69%	$20,500	0.34×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
211	The College of WoosterOH · Bachelor's	$60,884 n=16	100% 5yr	$22,111	0.36×	Above +65%	–
212	California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$60,883 n=38	85% 5yr	$25,000	0.41×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
213	Texas Tech UniversityTX · Master's	$60,860 n=39	92% 5yr	$24,641	0.41×	Below -7%	Below 2/2
214	Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$60,807 n=545	74%	$25,250	0.41×	Above +73%	Clears 2/2
215	The University of Texas Permian BasinTX · Bachelor's	$60,805 n=46	86% 5yr	$17,515	0.29×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
216	California State University-NorthridgeCA · Master's	$60,784 n=19	86% 5yr	$31,023	0.51×	Below -19%	Below 2/2
217	University of IowaIA · Bachelor's	$60,737 n=206	100%	$22,850	0.38×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
218	San Diego City CollegeCA · Associate	$60,716 n=22	–	–	–	Above +58%	–
219	Wheaton CollegeIL · Bachelor's	$60,695 n=49	73% 5yr	$23,250	0.38×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
220	University of the PacificCA · Bachelor's	$60,666 n=24	89% 5yr	$18,500	0.30×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
221	Minnesota State University-MankatoMN · Master's	$60,662 n=17	–	–	–	Below -11%	–
222	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$60,634 n=170	61%	$25,000	0.41×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
223	Manhattanville UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$60,523 n=56	86% 5yr	$25,726	0.42×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
224	Marquette UniversityWI · Bachelor's	$60,482 n=36	86% 5yr	$20,000	0.33×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
225	Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$60,414 n=254	43%	$19,500	0.32×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
226	University of Massachusetts-BostonMA · Bachelor's	$60,411 n=129	43%	$24,258	0.40×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
227	University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's	$60,407 n=523	54%	$20,500	0.34×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
228	University of KansasKS · Bachelor's	$60,258 n=135	93% 5yr	$18,811	0.31×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
229	Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusNM · Master's	$60,246 n=18	–	$39,819	0.66×	Above +15%	–
230	California State University-Los AngelesCA · Master's	$60,235 n=24	–	$30,250	0.50×	Below -20%	–
231	Emmanuel CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$60,110 n=40	92% 5yr	$27,000	0.45×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
232	University of Minnesota-DuluthMN · Bachelor's	$60,023 n=127	83% 5yr	$21,852	0.36×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
233	Weber State UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$59,969 n=86	80% 5yr	$16,749	0.28×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
234	Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$59,968 n=391	64%	$21,500	0.36×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
235	Radford UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$59,932 n=101	79%	$25,000	0.42×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
236	Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPA · Bachelor's	$59,929 n=70	94% 5yr	$26,000	0.43×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
237	Rider UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$59,897 n=28	–	$25,000	0.42×	Above +50%	–
238	University of Central MissouriMO · Master's	$59,861 n=23	–	–	–	Above +3%	Below 1/2
239	California State University-San MarcosCA · Bachelor's	$59,842 n=226	60%	$14,545	0.24×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
240	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$59,756 n=59	60% 1yr	$7,500	0.13×	Above +57%	–
241	University at AlbanyNY · Bachelor's	$59,724 n=306	52% 1yr	$20,066	0.34×	Above +57%	–
242	Westminster UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$59,676 n=22	86% 5yr	$25,000	0.42×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
243	Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$59,675 n=218	100%	$26,988	0.45×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
244	Hamline UniversityMN · Bachelor's	$59,557 n=20	88% 5yr	$24,672	0.41×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
245	Boston UniversityMA · Master's	$59,519 n=34	55% 1yr	$77,420	1.30×	Below -21%	–
246	Trinity UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$59,494 n=37	61% 1yr	$25,392	0.43×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
247	Ottawa University-Kansas CityKS · Bachelor's	$59,445 n=19	64% 1yr	$22,500	0.38×	Above +63%	–
248	Ottawa University-MilwaukeeWI · Bachelor's	$59,445 n=19	64% 1yr	$22,500	0.38×	Above +53%	–
249	Ottawa University-OnlineKS · Bachelor's	$59,445 n=19	64% 1yr	$22,500	0.38×	Above +63%	–
250	Ottawa University-OttawaKS · Bachelor's	$59,445 n=19	64% 1yr	$22,500	0.38×	Above +63%	–

Showing the top 250 of 787 institution-programs by median earnings; 537 lower-earning programs are omitted from the table for length.

% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.

By state, median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
District of Columbia	$76,093	4
New Hampshire	$69,098	6
Maryland	$63,292	11
Connecticut	$62,738	16
Washington	$62,155	14
Arizona	$61,193	10
Nebraska	$60,119	4
Utah	$59,969	11
Virginia	$59,950	20
Massachusetts	$59,519	31
California	$58,110	76
Rhode Island	$57,884	6
Oregon	$57,623	10
Colorado	$57,459	14
New York	$57,024	61
Minnesota	$56,119	19
New Jersey	$56,086	20
Wisconsin	$55,697	19
Florida	$55,115	24
Pennsylvania	$54,541	54
Vermont	$54,411	4
Nevada	$54,348	4
Ohio	$54,248	36
Illinois	$53,618	31
Michigan	$53,315	22

States with at least 3 reporting Communication and Media Studies programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying Communication and Media Studies programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Communication and Media Studies programs in this dataset are Columbia University in the City of New York ($120,003), Northwestern University ($116,101), University of Pennsylvania ($114,266). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are Communication and Media Studies programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 45 of the 787 Communication and Media Studies programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.