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Master's Degree in Communication & Media Studies

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Master’s Degrees in Communication & Media Studies

4,471 Yearly Graduations
$47,008 Median Salary
$34,167 Median Debt
There are 288 schools in the United States where you can get your master's degree in communications. Among those who recently graduated from the schools offering this degree, the majority were women, and 36% were students from underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Also, 9.4% of communications graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Communications Majors

During the most recent year for which data is available, 4,471 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
Master’s Degree 4,471
Doctor’s Degree 499
Graduate Certificate 355

Earnings of Communications Majors With Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in communications is $47,008. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $40,548 and the high is $51,380.

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Student Debt

The median student debt for graduates holding a master's degree in communications is $34,167. 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, $47,481 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $29,671.

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Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their master's degree in communications. About 73.0% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 1,205
Women 3,266
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The racial-ethnic distribution of communications master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 163
Black or African American 593
Hispanic or Latino 633
White 2,273
International Students 422
Other Races/Ethnicities 387
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There are 288 colleges that offer a master’s degree in communications. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
211 Yearly Graduations
77% Women
53% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $63,468 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $63,468 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 211 people received their master's degree in communications from USC. About 77% of this group were women, and 53% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#2

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
186 Yearly Graduations
80% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Purdue University - Main Campus. 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, 80% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#3

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
163 Yearly Graduations
73% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Arizona State University - Skysong is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 53,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,978 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,972 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 163 people received their master's degree in communications from ASU - Skysong. Around 31% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 73% were women.

#4

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado
155 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 4th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Denver. Roughly 13,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $55,260 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $55,260 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 155 people received their master's degree in communications from DU. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 81% were women.

#5

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
149 Yearly Graduations
82% Women
23% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Johns Hopkins University. Each year, around 28,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,480 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $60,480 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 149 people received their master's degree in communications from Johns Hopkins. About 82% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#6

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
129 Yearly Graduations
78% Women
33% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Florida comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. 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 33% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 78% were women.

#7

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
115 Yearly Graduations
79% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Grand Canyon University comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,407 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,655 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. Around 55% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 79% were women.

111 Yearly Graduations
76% Women
75% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Florida International University comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. 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, 76% were women and 75% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
99 Yearly Graduations
73% Women
22% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Liberty University is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,467 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,893 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 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 73% were women.

84 Yearly Graduations
70% Women
35% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 11th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Columbia University in the City of New York. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $61,989 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $52,016 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 84 people received their master's degree in communications from Columbia. About 70% of this group were women, and 35% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#12

American University

Washington, District of Columbia
71 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

American University comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Roughly 14,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,139 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. About 86% of this group were women, and 29% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

69 Yearly Graduations
68% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Roughly 11,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $45,989 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $23,691 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, 68% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#14

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
68 Yearly Graduations
70% Women
33% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 14th most popular school in the country for communications majors who are seeking their master's degree is Texas Tech University. 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. Around 33% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women.

#15

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
59 Yearly Graduations
69% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Boston University is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Roughly 32,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $61,050 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $61,050 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 69% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#16

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
48 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
46% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Queens University of Charlotte comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Roughly 2,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $39,030 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,914 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 48 people received their master's degree in communications from Queens. About 89% of this group were women, and 46% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
44 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
32% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Illinois State University comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in communications. Roughly 20,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,907 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,694 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 44 people received their master's degree in communications from Illinois State. Around 32% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women.

#18

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
43 Yearly Graduations
77% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

West Virginia University is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 26,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,360 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,602 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 43 people received their master's degree in communications from WVU. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 77% were women.

#19

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
41 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
11% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Drake University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 4,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $47,564 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,878 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 41 people received their master's degree in communications from Drake. Of these students, 86% were women and 11% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#19

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
41 Yearly Graduations
77% Women
30% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Washington State University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in communications. Each year, around 31,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,708 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,366 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 41 people received their master's degree in communications from Wazzu. Of these students, 77% were women and 30% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Communications Focus Areas

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
2,256
1,012
737
466

Below are some popular majors that are similar to communications that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
2,855
2,736
1,474
575
172

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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