HUMANITIES College Major

Communication

Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Explore Major

About Communication

Journalism, PR, advertising, and broadcasting — majors that place graduates in media companies, marketing agencies, corporate communications, and digital content roles. Graduates earn a national median of $56,359 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,697 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 109,432 students complete degrees in this area each year.

Median Earnings · 1yr
$35,143
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?

$56,359 Median earnings · 4yr
+5.0% 10yr job growth
6 Specializations

Is the Investment Worth It?

Breaks even in ~3.3 yrs vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Annual earnings
$56,359/yr
Total 4yr cost
$86,696

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.

ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.

How Much Do Communication Majors Earn?

Communication graduates start at a median $35,143 one year out and reach $56,359 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,697 US institutions offering programs in this field.

$35,143
1 Year After Graduation

Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.

$56,359
4-Year National Median

Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.

$54,740
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.

Earnings Range Across Specializations

Not all Communication specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $63,560/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $36,148/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.

$36,148 Lowest
$56,359 Median
$63,560 Highest

What Can You Do With a Communication Degree?

Career Paths for Communication Graduates

Communication connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Human Resources Manager leads in median earnings at $149,280/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.

Human Resources Manager Bachelor's degree
$149,280 ↗ +5.0% growth
Public Relations Managers Bachelor's degree
$146,910 ↗ +5.0% growth
Advertising and Promotions Managers Bachelor's degree
$133,660 ↘ -2.2% growth
Training and Development Managers Bachelor's degree
$133,000 ↗ +5.8% growth
Fundraising Managers Bachelor's degree
$125,470 ↗ +4.2% growth
Web and Digital Interface Designers Bachelor's degree
$104,000 ↗ +7.0% growth
Technical Writers Bachelor's degree
$90,390 ↗ +0.9% growth
Producer & Director Bachelor's degree
$90,360 ↗ +4.9% growth

Communication Specializations

Communication spans 6 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $36,148 to $63,560 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.

Specialization Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr
Public Relations 608 20,666 $63,560
Communication & Media 1,406 56,620 $56,359
Journalism 522 12,280 $56,278
Communication & Journalism, Other 99 1,238 $55,384
Radio, Television & Digital Media 641 18,257 $50,497
Publishing 30 371 $36,148

Best Colleges for Communication

The 20 colleges below are ranked by Communication graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

1
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance 26.6%
Net price/yr $19,857
Earnings 10yr $75,121
Grad rate 81%
2
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance 9.8%
Net price/yr $32,740
Earnings 10yr $92,498
Grad rate 88%
3
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance 24.2%
Net price/yr $6,541
Earnings 10yr $71,588
Grad rate 83%
4
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public
Acceptance 84.8%
Net price/yr $19,680
Earnings 10yr $67,253
Grad rate 79%
5
Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance 11.1%
Net price/yr $24,402
Earnings 10yr $83,238
Grad rate 81%
6
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance 45.9%
Net price/yr $38,793
Earnings 10yr $79,164
Grad rate 78%
7
New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance 9.2%
Net price/yr $37,050
Earnings 10yr $82,509
Grad rate 76%
8
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX · Public
Acceptance 72.7%
Net price/yr $19,070
Earnings 10yr $62,454
Grad rate 60%
9
California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA · Public
Acceptance 90.5%
Net price/yr $6,555
Earnings 10yr $62,951
Grad rate 73%
10
California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA · Public
Acceptance 93.5%
Net price/yr $7,021
Earnings 10yr $59,115
Grad rate 64%
11
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public
Acceptance 76.7%
Net price/yr $22,420
Earnings 10yr $59,221
Grad rate 62%
12
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance 89.9%
Net price/yr $14,967
Earnings 10yr $62,668
Grad rate 59%
13
University of Georgia Athens, GA · Public
Acceptance 37.7%
Net price/yr $13,936
Earnings 10yr $68,726
Grad rate 76%
14
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance 99.5%
Net price/yr $36,708
Earnings 10yr $50,318
Grad rate 30%
15
Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance 7.7%
Net price/yr $29,167
Earnings 10yr $89,363
Grad rate 89%
16
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public
Acceptance 78.1%
Net price/yr $25,346
Earnings 10yr $69,738
Grad rate 59%
17
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public
Acceptance 60.6%
Net price/yr $32,875
Earnings 10yr $63,435
Grad rate 61%
18
Florida International University Miami, FL · Public
Acceptance 54.7%
Net price/yr $9,288
Earnings 10yr $60,249
Grad rate 54%
19
Texas State University San Marcos, TX · Public
Acceptance 89.3%
Net price/yr $16,805
Earnings 10yr $56,906
Grad rate 60%
20
University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO · Public
Acceptance 78.5%
Net price/yr $20,268
Earnings 10yr $63,403
Grad rate 66%
View all colleges

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

Major
$30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k
Engineering Tech
Computer Science
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Engineering
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Mechanics & Repair
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Mathematics
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View all 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.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Communication degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

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College Cost Calculator

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Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

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College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

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Communication Degree: Pros & Cons

Communication carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 4 strengths and 2 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $56,359 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
  • Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.0% job growth over the next decade per BLS data.
  • Wide availability Offered at 1,697 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $35,143 at graduation to $56,359 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
  • Highly competitive job market Approximately 109,432 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.

Communication Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Communication graduates earn?
Communication graduates earn a national median of $56,359 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Communication degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Communication degree holders is $35,143 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Communication degree?
Communication degree holders work in a range of careers. Human Resources Manager is one of the top roles by median wage ($149,280/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Communication?
1,697 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Communication, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Communication degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $56,359 and an average net price of roughly $21,674/yr across institutions offering this major, a Communication degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Communication degree?
A bachelor's degree in Communication typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Communication graduates?
Employers hiring Communication graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Communication graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Communication graduates is moderate, with an average of +3.8% projected growth across related occupations. Web and Digital Interface Designers is among the strongest-growth roles at +7.0%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.

Related HUMANITIES Majors

Other majors in the HUMANITIES category. Compare earnings, specializations, and career paths before deciding where to focus your studies.

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Rankings for Communication Colleges

The most affordable and highest-earning colleges for Communication, ranked from the federal data.

  • Most Affordable Communication Colleges

    The most affordable colleges for Communication, ranked by net price with earnings and outcomes shown.

    • $2,984 Lowest Net
    • $21,508 Avg Net
    • 93 UCD Score
    • $75,971 Top Earn

  • Highest-Earning Communication Colleges

    The highest-earning colleges for Communication, ranked by graduate salary 10 years after entry.

    • $143,372 Top Earn
    • $59,216 Avg Earn
    • 93 UCD Score
    • 1,139 Colleges

Related Guides

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  • D

    Double Majors and Minors: When They're Worth It

    The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.

    • Double major
    • Minors
    • Time cost
    • Earnings impact
    • When worth it
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  • J

    Job Growth Projections: How to Use BLS Data

    Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.

    • BLS data
    • Job outlook
    • Growth projections
    • Reading the data
    • Career demand
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