Communication and journalism programs prepare students for careers in media, public relations, digital content creation, and corporate communications. With an average graduate earning of $34,045, this field offers diverse career paths from traditional newsrooms to emerging digital platforms. When evaluating programs, students should prioritize hands-on experience through campus media outlets, internship partnerships with local news organizations, and access to modern broadcast facilities. Look for curricula that balance fundamental reporting skills with digital media literacy and data journalism techniques. Strong alumni networks in media markets can provide valuable career connections. Consider programs that offer specialized tracks in areas like sports journalism, environmental reporting, or multimedia storytelling to match your specific interests and career goals.
25
Schools Ranked
$34,588
Avg. Program Earnings
63.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate
Top 25 Schools
| # | School | Median Earnings | Graduation Rate | School Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California
|
$46,478 | 74.0% | private-nonprofit |
| 2 |
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, Michigan
|
$44,384 | 68.7% | public |
| 3 |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
|
$43,798 | 84.8% | public |
| 4 |
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
$41,789 | 80.1% | private-nonprofit |
| 5 |
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
$41,565 | 77.1% | private-nonprofit |
| 6 |
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
$40,314 | 75.2% | private-nonprofit |
| 7 |
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa
|
$39,369 | 47.3% | private-nonprofit |
| 8 |
Seton Hall University
South Orange, New Jersey
|
$38,721 | 71.5% | private-nonprofit |
| 9 |
DeSales University
Center Valley, Pennsylvania
|
$38,289 | 71.0% | private-nonprofit |
| 10 |
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
|
$36,848 | 61.2% | public |
| 11 |
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York
|
$36,560 | 57.1% | public |
| 12 |
Berry College
Mount Berry, Georgia
|
$35,810 | 73.9% | private-nonprofit |
| 13 |
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
|
$35,274 | 68.6% | public |
| 14 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, Ohio
|
$35,060 | 87.7% | public |
| 15 |
Immaculata University
Immaculata, Pennsylvania
|
$33,987 | 64.5% | private-nonprofit |
| 16 |
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
|
$33,138 | 64.5% | public |
| 17 |
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
|
$32,391 | 60.3% | private-nonprofit |
| 18 |
SUNY Buffalo State University
Buffalo, New York
|
$31,792 | 36.0% | public |
| 19 |
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green, Ohio
|
$29,105 | 62.8% | public |
| 20 |
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, Tennessee
|
$26,817 | 54.2% | public |
| 21 |
Middle Georgia State University
Macon, Georgia
|
$26,353 | 25.6% | public |
| 22 |
Flagler College
Saint Augustine, Florida
|
$25,629 | 55.9% | private-nonprofit |
| 23 |
Malone University
Canton, Ohio
|
$24,035 | 51.3% | private-nonprofit |
| 24 |
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, New York
|
$23,649 | 59.2% | public |
| 25 |
Quincy University
Quincy, Illinois
|
$23,538 | 42.7% | private-nonprofit |
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See our methodology for how rankings are calculated.