Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other graduates earn a median $55,384 four years after finishing — $7,024/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,902/yr net price ($67,608 over four years), that pays back in about 9.6 years. Federal data pools 80 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 625 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other ranks #136 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 33% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | MN | $74,597 |
| 2 | Seton Hall University | NJ | $70,611 |
| 3 | California Lutheran University | CA | $68,806 |
| 4 | High Point University | NC | $67,085 |
| 5 | University of St Thomas | MN | $66,876 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | PA | $66,866 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | PA | $66,866 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | PA | $66,866 |
| 9 | Farmingdale State College | NY | $62,608 |
| 10 | West Virginia University | WV | $61,411 |
| 11 | Howard University | DC | $59,909 |
| 12 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | NE | $58,250 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.
How fast does Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other pay grow after graduation?
From $39,582 one year out to $55,384 four years out — a $15,802 climb, or 40% over three years. Both are federal medians of the same graduating cohorts, so the gap reflects real wage progression rather than a change in who is measured.
How many students graduate in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other each year?
About 625 bachelor's graduates a year across 80 programs in the federal file. Cohort size matters when reading the median: a field this size averages across a wide range of employers, regions and job titles.