Doctor’s Degrees in Communication & Media Studies
Education Levels of Communications Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 573 people earned their doctor's degree in communications. This makes it the 56th most popular doctor'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 Doctor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a doctor's degree in communications is $70,955. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $69,938 and the high is $71,973.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for communications students who are doctor's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their doctor's degree in communications. About 62.3% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 216 |
| Women | 357 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of communications doctor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 28 |
| Black or African American | 52 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 30 |
| White | 284 |
| International Students | 141 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 38 |
Most Popular Communications Programs for Doctor’s Degrees
There are 80 colleges that offer a doctor’s degree in communications. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for communications students seekinga doctor's degree is Michigan State University. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. 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, 19 people received their doctor's degree in communications from Michigan State. Of these students, 64% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at Michigan State University make a median salary of 70,955.
University of Southern California is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in communications. Roughly 46,200 attend the school each year. 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, 18 people received their doctor's degree in communications from USC. About 68% of this group were women, and 58% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at University of Southern California make a median salary of 70,955.
Regent University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 10,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,986 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,128 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 14 people received their doctor's degree in communications from Regent. About 76% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Regent graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $70,955.
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 0 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,672 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 14 people received their doctor's degree in communications from Penn State University Park. About 71% of this group were women, and 12% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus communications graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $70,955.
Arizona State University - Tempe comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 74,700 attend the school each year. 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, 13 people received their doctor's degree in communications from ASU - Tempe. Of these students, 73% were women and 45% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that ASU - Tempe graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $70,955.
University of Oregon comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 21,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,240 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,659 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 13 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UO. University of Oregon communications graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $70,955.
The 7th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Florida. Roughly 53,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,477 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,770 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 12 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UF. Of these students, 55% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at University of Florida make a median salary of 70,955.
The University of Alabama comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 37,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,100 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,100 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 12 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UA. Around 42% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 75% were women. The University of Alabama communications graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $70,955.
University of Wisconsin - Madison comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 44,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,644 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 11 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UW - Madison. About 50% of this group were women, and 10% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Wisconsin - Madison communications graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $70,955.
University of Pennsylvania comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 26,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,620 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $41,544 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 10 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UPenn. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 50% were women. Data shows that UPenn graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $70,955.
Ohio University - Athens Campus comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 25,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,746 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,444 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 10 people received their doctor's degree in communications from OHIO Athens. Data shows that OHIO Athens graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $70,955.
University of Georgia is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in communications. Roughly 39,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,790 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,878 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 10 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UGA. About 75% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at University of Georgia make a median salary of 70,955.
Indiana University - Bloomington comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 43,000 attend the school each year. 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, 9 people received their doctor's degree in communications from IU Bloomington. Of these students, 27% were women and 20% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at Indiana University - Bloomington make a median salary of 70,955.
Texas Tech University comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 40,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,935 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 9 people received their doctor's degree in communications from Texas Tech. About 50% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at Texas Tech University make a median salary of 70,955.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 30,000 attend the school each year. 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, 9 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UNC Chapel Hill. Of these students, 67% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UNC Chapel Hill graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $70,955.
University of Colorado Boulder comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 37,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,910 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,849 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 9 people received their doctor's degree in communications from CU - Boulder. Of these students, 71% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Colorado Boulder communications graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $70,955.
University of Maryland - College Park is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in communications. Roughly 40,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,889 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,560 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 8 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UMCP. Of these students, 67% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at University of Maryland - College Park make a median salary of 70,955.
University of Massachusetts Amherst comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Each year, around 31,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,591 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,723 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 8 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UMass Amherst. Around 40% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 80% were women. Data shows that UMass Amherst graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $70,955.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in communications. Roughly 52,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,768 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,545 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 8 people received their doctor's degree in communications from UIUC. Around 14% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in communications at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make a median salary of 70,955.
Temple University comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in communications. Roughly 37,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $21,023 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,042 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 8 people received their doctor's degree in communications from Temple. Temple University communications graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $70,955.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to communications that offer doctor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Radio, TV & Digital Communication | 57 |
| Public Relations & Advertising | 36 |
| Journalism | 14 |
| Other Communication & Journalism | 5 |
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.
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