Best Master's Degrees in Communication

A master’s in communication and media can translate to a variety of professional settings including business, marketing, public relations, government, and law. 

Three years after completing their degree, communications master’s graduates earn a weighted average salary of $53,921. Our rankings of communications graduate programs cover 71 of the 192 programs available, accounting for 62% of total conferrals. 

We are unable to include schools for which there are insufficient earnings and/or debt data. For more information on how we determine the best communication programs, please visit our methodology page.

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Ranking methodology
#1 in Communications | #13 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Economic score 0.26

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $74,626

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $21,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in Communications
Economic score 0.32

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $70,456

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,869

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in Communications
Economic score 0.33

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $53,184

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $17,533

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in Communications

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Economic score 0.33

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $43,502

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $14,924

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in Communications | #14 in Humanities & Social Sciences

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Economic score 0.34

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $78,857

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $35,739

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in Communications | #66 in Humanities & Social Sciences

Columbia University

New York, New York

Economic score 0.38

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $97,077

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $66,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in Communications

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Economic score 0.40

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $81,702

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $45,905

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in Communications

Purdue University

West Lafayette, Indiana

Economic score 0.40

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $69,334

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $30,734

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in Communications
Economic score 0.41

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $55,138

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,512

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in Communications

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Economic score 0.45

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $84,767

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $55,173

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in Communications | #59 in Humanities & Social Sciences

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Economic score 0.47

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $50,206

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $25,434

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in Communications

Westminster College

Salt Lake City, Utah

Economic score 0.48

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $73,915

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#13 in Communications
Economic score 0.48

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $45,429

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $19,854

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#14 in Communications

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Economic score 0.50

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $57,848

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $28,786

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#15 in Communications
Economic score 0.50

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $42,774

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $19,747

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#16 in Communications

La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Economic score 0.55

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $55,987

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $35,002

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#17 in Communications

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Economic score 0.55

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $56,613

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $31,157

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#18 in Communications

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

Economic score 0.56

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $40,467

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $15,749

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#19 in Communications
Economic score 0.57

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $40,150

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $21,348

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#20 in Communications | #58 in Humanities & Social Sciences

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score 0.60

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $70,156

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $51,250

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

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How long does it take to pay down debt in comms & media studies?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in comms & media studies is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in comms & media studies earn?

Salary

$53,921

The median master's degree in comms & media studies graduate earns $53,921 3 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in comms & media studies cost?

Net cost

$20,025

The average annual cost of a master's degree in comms & media studies is $20,025. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.