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 |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 4,685 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 573 |
| Graduate Certificate | 300 |
Earnings of Communications Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in communications is $49,614. 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. 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 estimate the median debt for this class of people.
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. Of these students, 83% were women and 44% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at University of Southern California make a median salary of 49,614.
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. Around 31% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 75% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Purdue University - Main Campus make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $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. Around 38% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 66% were women. Arizona State University - Skysong communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
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 $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. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at University of Denver make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $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. About 81% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Johns Hopkins graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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. About 81% of this group were women, and 37% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at University of Florida make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $16,390 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. Of these students, 73% were women and 56% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Grand Canyon University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
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. Around 73% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 78% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Florida International University make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $15,015 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. About 70% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Liberty University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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 $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. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 80% were women. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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 $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. About 79% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. American University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
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 $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. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 82% were women. Data shows that Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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. Of these students, 60% were women and 30% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Texas Tech University communications graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $49,614.
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 $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. Of these students, 83% were women and 9% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Boston University make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $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. About 74% of this group were women, and 42% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Queens University of Charlotte make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $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. Around 10% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 80% were women. Data shows that Illinois State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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 $9,648 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. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. Data shows that WVU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $49,614.
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 $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. Of these students, 85% were women and 23% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Drake University make a median salary of 49,614.
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 $10,976 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. Of these students, 71% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in communications at Washington State University 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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