Bachelor’s Degrees in Communication & Media Studies
Education Levels of Communications Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 44,674 people earned their bachelor's degree in communications. This makes it the 5th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in communications at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 44,674 |
| Associate Degree | 4,796 |
| Master’s Degree | 4,685 |
| Basic Certificate | 1,528 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 573 |
| Graduate Certificate | 300 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 64 |
Earnings of Communications Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in communications is $34,959. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $30,595 to a high of $39,699.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in communications is $27,493. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $40,779 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $19,131.
Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $327.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in communications. About 63.3% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 16,392 |
| Women | 28,282 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of communications bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 2,125 |
| Black or African American | 4,949 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 7,456 |
| White | 24,791 |
| International Students | 1,910 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 3,443 |
Most Popular Communications Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 1,106 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in communications. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for communications students seekinga bachelor's degree is California State University - Fullerton. Each year, around 42,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 754 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from Cal State Fullerton. Around 73% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at California State University - Fullerton make a median salary of 34,959.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 30,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,019 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,552 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 637 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from UNC Chapel Hill. About 72% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill make a median salary of 34,959.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Ohio State University - Main Campus. Roughly 61,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,826 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,515 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 565 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from Ohio State. Of these students, 62% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Ohio State University - Main Campus communications graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,959.
Arizona State University - Skysong comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 53,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 549 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from ASU - Skysong. Of these students, 71% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that ASU - Skysong graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
The 5th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Michigan State University. Each year, around 49,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $20,808 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 506 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from Michigan State. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 46% were women. Data shows that Michigan State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
California State University - Sacramento is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Roughly 32,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 488 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from Sac State. Around 69% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 53% were women. Data shows that Sac State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
The 7th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of California - Santa Barbara. Each year, around 26,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 462 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from UCSB. Around 47% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 73% were women. University of California - Santa Barbara communications graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,959.
The 7th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Florida International University. Roughly 58,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,721 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,119 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 462 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from FIU. About 67% of this group were women, and 81% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that FIU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
University of Central Florida is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Roughly 71,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 442 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from UCF. Of these students, 72% were women and 52% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at University of Central Florida make a median salary of 34,959.
Indiana University - Bloomington comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 43,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,312 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,133 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 440 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from IU Bloomington. About 60% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Indiana University - Bloomington communications graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,959.
Arizona State University - Tempe comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 74,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 439 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from ASU - Tempe. About 62% of this group were women, and 38% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at Arizona State University - Tempe make a median salary of 34,959.
James Madison University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Roughly 21,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,914 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,856 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 433 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from JMU. About 67% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. James Madison University communications graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,959.
University of Washington - Seattle Campus is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Roughly 48,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,524 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,514 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 404 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from UW Seattle. Of these students, 75% were women and 35% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make a median salary of 34,959.
The 14th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Boston University. Roughly 32,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,798 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $63,798 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 397 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from Boston U. Of these students, 72% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Boston U graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
Texas A&M University - College Station is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Each year, around 70,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,003 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 387 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from Texas A&M College Station. Of these students, 79% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at Texas A&M University - College Station make a median salary of 34,959.
The 16th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Long Beach. Roughly 40,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 377 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from CSULB. About 65% of this group were women, and 70% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that CSULB graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
The 17th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of South Florida - Main Campus. Roughly 50,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,559 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,350 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 376 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from USF Tampa. Of these students, 58% were women and 47% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that USF Tampa graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
University at Buffalo comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in communications. Roughly 32,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 346 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from University at Buffalo. About 62% of this group were women, and 16% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that University at Buffalo graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
San Francisco State University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Each year, around 27,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 337 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from SFSU. About 62% of this group were women, and 67% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in communications at San Francisco State University make a median salary of 34,959.
University of Southern California is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in communications. Each year, around 46,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 336 people received their bachelor's degree in communications from USC. About 72% of this group were women, and 42% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that USC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,959.
Explore Major by State
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to communications that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Public Relations & Advertising | 15,715 |
| Radio, TV & Digital Communication | 10,971 |
| Journalism | 10,026 |
| Other Communication & Journalism | 644 |
| Publishing | 104 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.