Communication

About Communication

Wondering whether Communication is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what a Human Resources Manager earns and how the role is projected to grow.

Journalism, PR, advertising, and broadcasting. Majors that place graduates in media companies, marketing agencies, corporate communications, and digital content roles. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $56,359, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,697 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 109,432 students complete a degree in this area every year.

Median Earnings · 1yr

$35,129

Median Earnings · 4yr

$56,359

Colleges Offering

1,697

Graduates / Year

109,432

Specializations

6

Avg Net Price / yr

$21,674

Is a Communication Degree Right for You?

Is the Investment Worth It?

Solid ROI. Median earnings of $56,359 after 4 years. Against an estimated $86,696 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.3 years.

How Much Do Communication Majors Earn?

Pay for Communication graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $35,129 one year after graduation, rising to $56,359 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 1,697 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Communication Degree?

Career Paths for Communication Graduates

Studying Communication does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Human Resources Manager pays the most among them at a median $149,280 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what Public Relations Managers typically earn and how the field is trending.

Communication Specializations

Communication spans 6 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $36,148 to $63,560 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Public Relations program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Communication

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Communication, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for The University of Texas at Austin.

Ranked by number of Communication graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Communication Compares to Similar Majors

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Communication degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

Communication Degree: Pros & Cons

Weigh the financial trade-offs in Communication carefully before committing to it. The 4 strengths and 2 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.

Communication Degree: Frequently Asked Questions