Communication & Journalism

Programs in journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, and digital media. Covers writing, reporting, media production, strategic communication, and emerging platforms.

Common careers: Journalist, Public Relations Specialist, Advertising Manager, Social Media Manager, Broadcast Reporter, Content Strategist

3,967Programs
1,669Schools
$34,493Median Earnings
$27,918$40,459Middle 50% Earnings
$23,370Avg Debt at Graduation

Specializations

Top Earning Programs

Highest median earnings one year after graduation

1
Communication, Journalism,(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$96,837
2
Communication and Media Studies(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$93,452
3
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$91,362
4
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)School of Visual Arts, NY
$91,346
5
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)University of Colorado Boulder, CO
$90,274
6
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$89,054
7
Communication and Media Studies(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$87,012
8
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(masters)Temple University, PA
$84,908
9
Communication and Media Studies(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$82,754
10
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$82,421
11
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(bachelors)Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA
$76,507
12
Journalism(masters)University of Iowa, IA
$75,030
13
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)Boston University, MA
$73,982
14
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)George Washington University, DC
$73,569
15
Communication and Media Studies(doctoral)Regent University, VA
$72,990
16
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)Trinity Washington University, DC
$72,618
17
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(masters)University of Washington-Seattle Campus, WA
$72,293
18
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(bachelors)Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
$71,549
19
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(masters)Marist University, NY
$70,802
20
Communication and Media Studies(masters)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN
$70,112
21
Communication and Media Studies(masters)Stanford University, CA
$69,670
22
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(masters)Michigan State University, MI
$69,257
23
Communication and Media Studies(doctoral)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ
$68,920
24
Communication and Media Studies(masters)University of Southern California, CA
$68,587
25
Communication and Media Studies(masters)American University, DC
$68,299

Career Paths

Occupations linked to communication & journalism programs

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

$127,090/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Producers and Directors

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Media Programming Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Talent Directors

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Media Technical Directors/Managers

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

$83,480/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Film and Video Editors

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

$70,570/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Specialists

Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

$65,850/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Top States

States with the most communication & journalism programs

CA395 programs$32,026 avg
NY280 programs$36,565 avg
TX227 programs$35,746 avg
PA217 programs$34,354 avg
OH197 programs$35,950 avg
IL168 programs$37,712 avg
FL154 programs$34,226 avg
MI144 programs$34,858 avg
IN119 programs$37,905 avg
MO119 programs$37,197 avg
MA117 programs$41,384 avg
MN99 programs$36,189 avg
NC89 programs$36,201 avg
GA87 programs$36,141 avg
IA82 programs$38,342 avg