Master’s Degrees in Communication & Media Studies
Education Levels of Communications Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 4,685 people earned their master's degree in communications. This makes it the 44th most popular master'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 Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in communications is $49,614. 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 $43,587 to a high of $58,260.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for communications students who are master's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in communications. About 74.5% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 1,193 |
| Women | 3,492 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of communications master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 174 |
| Black or African American | 532 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 664 |
| White | 2,292 |
| International Students | 685 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 338 |
Most Popular Communications Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 288 colleges that offer a master’s degree in communications. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for communications students seekinga master's degree is University of Southern California. 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, 211 people received their master's degree in communications from USC. About 83% of this group were women, and 44% 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 $49,614.
Purdue University - Main Campus is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 46,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,718 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,718 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 186 people received their master's degree in communications from Purdue. Of these students, 75% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Purdue graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
Arizona State University - Skysong comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master'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, 163 people received their master's degree in communications from ASU - Skysong. Of these students, 66% were women and 38% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Arizona State University - Skysong make a median salary of 49,614.
University of Denver is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Roughly 13,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,032 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 155 people received their master's degree in communications from DU. Of these students, 86% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that DU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
Johns Hopkins University is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 28,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,840 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,840 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 149 people received their master's degree in communications from Johns Hopkins. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 81% were women. Johns Hopkins University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
The 6th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Florida. Each year, around 53,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 129 people received their master's degree in communications from UF. Around 37% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 81% were women. Data shows that UF graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
The 7th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Grand Canyon University. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,390 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,138 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 115 people received their master's degree in communications from Grand Canyon University. About 73% of this group were women, and 56% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Grand Canyon University make a median salary of 49,614.
The 8th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master'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, 111 people received their master's degree in communications from FIU. Of these students, 78% were women and 73% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that FIU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
Liberty University comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 99 people received their master's degree in communications from Liberty University. Around 36% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women. Liberty University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
Columbia University in the City of New York is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 84 people received their master's degree in communications from Columbia. Of these students, 80% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Columbia University in the City of New York communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
The 12th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is American University. Roughly 14,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $55,724 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $32,224 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 71 people received their master's degree in communications from The American University. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 79% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at American University make a median salary of 49,614.
The 13th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network. Roughly 11,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $48,464 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $25,088 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 69 people received their master's degree in communications from Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network. Of these students, 82% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
Texas Tech University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 40,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 68 people received their master's degree in communications from Texas Tech. About 60% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Texas Tech University make a median salary of 49,614.
Boston University comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. 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, 59 people received their master's degree in communications from Boston U. About 83% of this group were women, and 9% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Boston U graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
The 16th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Queens University of Charlotte. Roughly 2,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $40,790 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,520 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 48 people received their master's degree in communications from Queens. Around 42% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 74% were women. Data shows that Queens graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
The 17th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Illinois State University. Roughly 20,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,971 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 44 people received their master's degree in communications from Illinois State. Of these students, 80% were women and 10% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Illinois State University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
West Virginia University comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Each year, around 26,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,648 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,908 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 43 people received their master's degree in communications from WVU. Of these students, 65% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. West Virginia University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
Drake University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Each year, around 4,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $49,466 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,009 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 41 people received their master's degree in communications from Drake. About 85% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Drake graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
Washington State University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Each year, around 31,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,976 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,675 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 41 people received their master's degree in communications from Wazzu. About 71% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Wazzu graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to communications that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Public Relations & Advertising | 3,129 |
| Radio, TV & Digital Communication | 2,951 |
| Journalism | 1,525 |
| Other Communication & Journalism | 488 |
| Publishing | 213 |
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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