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 $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 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.