Communication and Media Studies

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$36,079

Median Earnings

$54,300

Schools Offering

657

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $48,185Median: $54,30075th: $60,411

Best Schools for Communication and Media Studies by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$114,266	$28,699	$15,637	B+
2	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$93,541	$29,167	$18,112	B+
3	Cornell University NY · Private	96	$88,463	$28,690	$14,418	A
4	Santa Clara University CA · Private	90	$84,206	$50,062	$18,500	B
5	Boston College MA · Private	92	$83,586	$41,704	$18,500	B+
6	Villanova University PA · Private	89	$81,497	$43,756	$26,456	C+
7	Boston University MA · Private	90	$80,306	$24,402	$25,108	C+
8	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$80,191	$30,915	$23,250	C+
9	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$79,648	$13,138	$20,376	B
10	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$79,112	$36,586	$25,000	C+
11	Emory University GA · Private	92	$78,866	$22,585	$21,000	C
12	Fairfield University CT · Private	79	$78,081	$48,095	$27,000	C
13	Wake Forest University NC · Private	88	$77,984	$28,719	$22,250	C+
14	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$77,244	$44,338	$25,700	C
15	Tulane University of Louisiana LA · Private	64	$76,945	$39,949	$23,082	C
16	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$76,243	$21,565	$21,230	B
17	Roanoke College VA · Private	53	$76,198	$24,503	$26,975	D
18	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$75,864	$32,740	$17,702	B
19	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$75,612	$13,481	$11,180	B+
20	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$75,223	$16,665	$14,928	A
21	Marist University NY · Private	74	$74,726	$41,544	$26,000	C
22	Manhattan University NY · Private	84	$74,471	$27,256	$26,000	C
23	University of Maryland-College Park MD · Public	94	$74,402	$15,678	$20,000	C+
24	Elon University NC · Private	75	$73,750	$41,555	$23,250	C+
25	Hobart William Smith Colleges NY · Private	70	$73,650	$31,563	$27,000	C+
26	Gonzaga University WA · Private	81	$73,558	$35,119	$23,375	C
27	Chapman University CA · Private	64	$73,461	$46,555	$19,500	B
28	The Catholic University of America DC · Private	77	$73,073	$29,561	$27,000	C
29	University of California-Santa Barbara CA · Public	90	$72,976	$16,109	$13,018	B+
30	St Lawrence University NY · Private	69	$72,839	$28,651	$25,000	D
31	University of California-Davis CA · Public	95	$72,778	$14,741	$13,000	B+
32	University of Arizona AZ · Public	75	$72,758	$16,674	$19,750	C+
33	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$72,210	$19,857	$20,500	C+
34	Loyola University Maryland MD · Private	83	$71,948	$30,574	$27,000	C
35	Simmons University MA · Private	72	$71,138	$25,265	$26,000	C
36	Stonehill College MA · Private	80	$70,618	$33,016	$25,000	C
37	Roger Williams University RI · Private	63	$70,575	$37,999	$26,000	D
38	University of Oregon OR · Public	68	$70,532	$22,182	$16,500	C+
39	University of Delaware DE · Public	86	$70,414	$17,799	$25,000	C
40	Willamette University OR · Private	59	$70,412	$25,121	$26,000	D
41	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC · Public	94	$70,240	$11,655	$15,500	B
42	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$70,106	$38,793	$27,000	D
43	CUNY City College NY · Public	82	$69,948	$3,776	$15,827	B
44	Pace University NY · Private	68	$69,876	$30,892	$26,000	D
45	Rutgers University-New Brunswick NJ · Public	83	$69,709	$24,406	$25,000	C
46	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus PA · Public	70	$69,573	$30,434	$27,000	D
47	Gustavus Adolphus College MN · Private	73	$69,423	$22,900	$27,000	C+
48	Saint Anselm College NH · Private	74	$69,288	$34,779	$27,000	C
49	DePauw University IN · Private	78	$69,228	$22,264	$27,000	C
50	Loyola Marymount University CA · Private	72	$69,144	$48,381	$19,500	C+

Below Average Value

Is Communication and Media Studies Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Communication and Media Studies are below average. At $36,079 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

With 657 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is Woodbury University, where graduates earn $68,020 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Communication and Media Studies All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

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Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.