Best Colleges and Universities for Communications Degrees

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The best communications degree programs are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best anthropology degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding anthropology faculty.

A bachelor’s degree in communications is an excellent starting point for a career in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, and a host of other exciting fields. As a communications major, you’ll study language, group dynamics, non-verbal interaction, and more. Majoring in communication can qualify you for a wide range of professional opportunities in business, education, mass media, and more.

A degree in communication may also prepare you for work as a technician in broadcast, film editing, and a host of other media-related technical roles. Exceptional communication skills could also qualify you for a leadership role in a variety of organizational settings. The best schools for communications are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of communications concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Communication bachelor’s degrees are the 21th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It’s slightly more popular among women, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Communications Bachelor’s Degrees

You can turn a communications major into a virtually limitless array of careers. How you use your degree in communications will depend largely on a combination of skills, personal interests, and opportunity. Whether you’d like to edit books for a publishing house, produce a talk radio show, or chase news stories across the globe, majoring in communication can get you started on your way.

Today, top influencers in communication are expanding research on subjects such as the political economy of communication, community media ecologies and impacts on civic and public life, citizen journalism, and much more.

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Communications is a popular major because it can provide pathways into countless fields and career opportunities. The study of communication is a balance of theoretical concepts and practical skills. These practical skills are valuable in any field. You’ll learn many of the critical 21st Century skills that employers value such as collaboration, creativity, and the ability to express yourself in a variety of media. Hiring firms actively seek out job candidates with strong writing, speaking, and web-mediated communication skills.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019, the median annual wage for media and communication occupations was $59,230, as compared to a median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810. And if you succeed as an on-air broadcasting talent, an accomplished journalist, or a noted public relations specialist, you could earn quite a bit more.

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Once you’ve declared your major in communications, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized communications electives, there are a number of common courses that most communications majors will be required to take, including:

  • Communication in Digital Media
  • Public Relations
  • Technical Writing
  • Writing in Journalism
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Organizational Communication
  • Photojournalism
  • Crisis Communication

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Majoring in communication can provide inroads to a wide range of careers in mass media, journalism, writing, public relations, publishing and much more. Your communication skills and personal interests could take you down a wide range of professional paths, including these top jobs:

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The Best Colleges and Universities for Communications Degrees

Best Communications Major Research Universities

  1. Stanford University
  2. University of Pennsylvania
  3. University of California, Berkeley
  4. Northwestern University
  5. MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Best Communications Major Liberal Arts Colleges

  1. Pomona College
  2. Vassar College
  3. Claremont McKenna College
  4. Washington and Lee University
  5. San Francisco State University

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Best Communications Major Online Colleges

  1. University of Missouri
  2. University of Iowa
  3. University of Arizona
  4. Arizona State University
  5. Texas Tech University

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Career Outlook for Students with Communications Degree

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Communication

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,568
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,507
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $33,395
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $45,204
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
  • Job Growth: 2.98%
  • Number of Jobs: 920,200
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Public Relations Managers5.97%$119,176
Fundraising Managers5.04%$103,968
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary3.57%$72,568
Writers and Authors3.70%$65,547
Editors-3.93%$62,469

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$42,827$69,084$118,541

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 New York5% higher than average$98,027
#3 Virginia5% higher than average$85,544
#4 California26% higher than average$108,436
#5 Georgia13% higher than average$69,820
#6 New Jersey13% higher than average$90,417

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Public Relations Managers$119,176
Fundraising Managers$103,968
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$72,568

The Best Communications Schools in Your State

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