collageApproximately 66,279 communication and media studies degrees were granted to students last year in the United States. With so many options it can be a daunting task finding the right fit. This year’s Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies ranking analyzed 504 colleges and universities that offer a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies. We look at over 20 factors to determine the top 15% of schools for Communication & Media Studies students.
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Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School
Best Colleges for Communication & Media StudiesThe communications program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality communications program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
Quality Overall is Important
A school that excels in educating for a particular major must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
The lowest ranked school in our list is in the top 11% of our overall quality ranking while the vast majority are in at least the top 8%.
Overall Best Colleges Rank ( 134 to 27 )
Lowest Ranked OverallTop Ranked Overall
Graduates Earn More After College
A communication and media studies degree from schools on this list usually translates into higher than average earnings after graduation. While the average communication and media studies bachelors degree from U.S. colleges results in an average starting salary of $31,626, graduates of colleges on this list average $40,572.
Starting Salary ( 37455 to 45544 )
$0$49,400
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Major Focus – How much a school focuses on Communication & Media Studies students vs. other majors.
Major Popularity – How many other communication and media studies students choose this school.
Accreditation – Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or a recognized communication and media studies related accrediting body.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for Communication & Media Studies students.
More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools
Rankings by Location
CHECK OUT OTHER LOCALES
More Communications Rankings
OTHER RANKING CATEGORIES
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this Best Communications Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out – you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Schools to Study Communication & Media Studies in the United States
Below you’ll see a list of the best colleges and universities to study communication and media studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Top 25 Best Communications Colleges
UPenn crest
1
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
6th
MOST POPULAR IN PA
$49,400
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
University of Pennsylvania is a wonderful decision for students interested in a Communication & Media Studies degree. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of 9 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.
With 109 students who completed this degree in the most recent year we have data available, University of Pennsylvania is one of the most popular universities to study communications in the United States. University of Pennsylvania communication and media studies students make $8,828 more than the average communications student.
More…
USC crest
2
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
2nd
MOST POPULAR IN CA
2.0%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Any student who is interested in communication and media studies has to check out University of Southern California. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 40 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
There were roughly 562 communication and media studies individuals who graduated from this program at USC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate from this program report average early career earnings of $39,200.
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Cornell crest
3
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
17th
MOST POPULAR IN NY
$47,100
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Cornell University is among your top options if you’re planning on studying communication and media studies. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 17 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.
Cornell University is one of the most popular universities to study communications in the United States with approximately 87 graduations in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies students from Cornell University earn a boost of around $6,528 over the average income of communication and media studies majors.
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Boston U crest
4
Boston University
Boston, MA
Master’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN MA
10.9%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
It is difficult to beat Boston University if you wish to pursue communication and media studies as a major. Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 49 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.
In addition to its bachelor’s programs, Boston U offers a Master’s Degrees in communication and media studies. Graduates from the communication and media studies major at Boston University get $2,328 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
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DePauw crest
5
DePauw University
Greencastle, IN
6th
MOST POPULAR IN IN
22.5%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
$43,000
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
DePauw is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Greencastle. A Best Colleges rank of 50 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means DePauw is a great university overall.
A popular major for communication and media studies undergraduates, there were roughly 89 learners who graduated from this program at DePauw in the most recent year we have data available. Communication & Media Studies students from DePauw University earn a boost of around $2,428 over the average income of communication and media studies graduates.
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UMCP crest
6
University of Maryland – College Park
College Park, MD
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
2nd
MOST POPULAR IN MD
$43,300
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 117th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.
For those interested in something more advanced, UMCP also offers 2 different higher degree levels in communication and media studies, the most popular of which is a Doctor’s Degree. Communication & Media Studies students from University of Maryland – College Park receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,728 over the typical income of communication and media studies majors.
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Northwestern crest
7
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
4th
MOST POPULAR IN IL
$42,600
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of 12 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
With 170 students who completed this degree in the most recent data year, Northwestern University is one of the most popular universities to study communications in the United States. Communication & Media Studies majors from Northwestern University get an earnings boost of about $2,028 above the average income of communication and media studies graduates.
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UNC Chapel Hill crest
8
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN NC
2.8%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of 60 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, UNC Chapel Hill also offers 2 different higher degree levels in communication and media studies, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Graduates of the communications program earn about $33,900 in their early career salary.
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Boston College crest
9
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
3rd
MOST POPULAR IN MA
4.5%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
$45,700
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Boston College is a large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Chestnut Hill. A Best Colleges rank of 61 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Boston College is a great college overall.
With 221 individuals who graduated from this program in the most recent year we have data available, Boston College is one of the most popular colleges to study communications in the United States. Boston College communication and media studies students receive $5,128 more than the typical communications grad.
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Villanova crest
10
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Master’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN PA
12.6%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 78 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Villanova is a great university overall.
There were roughly 191 communication and media studies individuals who graduated from this degree at Villanova in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, communications students typically earn around $42,200 in their early careers.
More…
Purdue crest
11
Purdue University – Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
2nd
MOST POPULAR IN IN
2.8%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 84th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were about 431 communication and media studies individuals who graduated from this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, communications students generally make an average of $36,100 in their early careers.
More…
UIUC crest
12
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN IL
$38,100
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 92nd out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
For those interested in something more advanced, UIUC also offers 2 different higher degree levels in communication and media studies, the most popular of which is a Doctor’s Degree. Students who graduate from this degree report average early career wages of $38,100.
More…
U-M crest
13
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
2nd
MOST POPULAR IN MI
$41,500
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
U-M is a very large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of 38 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were roughly 241 communication and media studies students who graduated from this program at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates of the communications program make an average of $41,500 for their early career.
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Michigan State crest
14
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN MI
$36,200
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 107th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
For those interested in something more advanced, Michigan State also offers 2 different higher degree levels in communication and media studies, the most popular of which is a Doctor’s Degree. Graduates of the communications program report average early career wages of $36,200.
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The American University crest
15
American University
Washington, DC
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN DC
$42,100
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 164th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.
For those interested in something more advanced, The American University also offers 2 different higher degree levels in communication and media studies, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Students who graduate from the communications program earn around $42,100 for their early career.
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Fairfield U crest
16
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT
Master’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
2nd
MOST POPULAR IN CT
20.6%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield U is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 185th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
There were approximately 102 communication and media studies students who graduated from this program at Fairfield U in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates of the communications program make about $42,300 for their early career.
More…
UCSB crest
17
University of California – Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
4th
MOST POPULAR IN CA
11.2%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
UCSB is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 133rd out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
With 457 students who completed this degree in the most recent data year, University of California – Santa Barbara is one of the most popular universities to study communications in the United States. Soon after graduation, communications students usually make about $36,300 in their early careers.
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Northeastern crest
18
Northeastern University
Boston, MA
4th
MOST POPULAR IN MA
$45,400
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 81st out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
Northeastern University is a fairly popular university to study communications in the United States with about 152 graduations in the most recent year we have data available. Communication & Media Studies students from Northeastern University receive an earnings boost of about $4,828 over the typical income of communication and media studies graduates.
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IU Bloomington crest
19
Indiana University – Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN IN
36.7%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the city of Bloomington. This university ranks 141st out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were roughly 450 communication and media studies students who graduated from this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, communications students generally make about $35,200 at the beginning of their careers.
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U of U crest
20
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
1st
MOST POPULAR IN UT
$38,300
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 180th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.
There were roughly 353 communication and media studies individuals who graduated from this degree at U of U in the most recent data year. Students who graduate from the communications program earn around $38,300 for their early career.
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SCU crest
21
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
25th
MOST POPULAR IN CA
$43,000
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Santa Clara. A Best Colleges rank of 68 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.
A favorite choice for communication and media studies undergraduates, there were about 130 learners who graduated from this program at SCU in the most recent year we have data available. Santa Clara University communication and media studies graduates earn $2,428 more than the typical communications student.
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Wake Forest University crest
22
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Master’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
9th
MOST POPULAR IN NC
12.0%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Winston-Salem. A Best Colleges rank of 37 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Wake Forest University is a great university overall.
A preferred major for communication and media studies undergrads, there were roughly 142 students who completed this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, communications students usually earn around $37,700 at the beginning of their careers.
More…
UC Davis crest
23
University of California – Davis
Davis, CA
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
8th
MOST POPULAR IN CA
$37,900
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
UC Davis is a very large public university located in the suburb of Davis. This university ranks 83rd out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
For those interested in something more advanced, UC Davis also offers 2 different higher degree levels in communication and media studies, the most popular of which is a Doctor’s Degree. Grads of the communications program state that they receive average early career wages of $37,900.
More…
UMass Amherst crest
24
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
2nd
MOST POPULAR IN MA
3.5%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Located in the large suburb of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 118th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were approximately 311 communication and media studies students who graduated from this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Grads of the communications program state that they receive average early career earnings of $39,200.
More…
DU crest
25
University of Denver
Denver, CO
Doctor’s Degree
HIGHEST DEGREE TYPE
3rd
MOST POPULAR IN CO
20.9%
GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Located in the city of Denver, DU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 176th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.
A popular major for communication and media studies undergrads, there were roughly 182 learners who graduated from this program at DU in the most recent year we have data available. Grads of the communications program report average early career income of $35,700.
More…
Rest of the Top 50 Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies
UW Seattle crest
26
University of Washington – Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
Ohio State crest
27
Ohio State University – Main Campus
Columbus, OH
Loyola Maryland crest
28
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Texas A&M College Station crest
29
Texas A&M University – College Station
College Station, TX
UC Berkeley crest
30
University of California – Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
UW – Madison crest
31
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI
TCU crest
32
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
Marist crest
33
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
UGA crest
34
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
ASU – Tempe crest
35
Arizona State University – Tempe
Tempe, AZ
JMU crest
36
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
UD crest
37
University of Delaware
Newark, DE
Louisiana State University crest
38
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA
UDayton crest
39
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH
CU – Boulder crest
40
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO
Emerson crest
41
Emerson College
Boston, MA
Virginia Tech crest
42
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Bryant crest
43
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI
KU crest
44
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
University at Buffalo crest
45
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
UCSD crest
46
University of California – San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Iowa crest
47
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
St. Anselm College crest
48
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH
St. Mary’s College crest
49
Saint Mary’s College
Notre Dame, IN
USF Tampa crest
50
University of South Florida – Main Campus
Tampa, FL
Remaining Award Winners
This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 504 different United States communication and media studies schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn’t quite make the cut to earn our top Best Colleges for Communication & Media Studies award.
The 10 Best Colleges for Communications in the US
According to the National Communication Association’s Executive Director, Trevor Giles, “A communications degree is broadly situated to take on a number of different kinds of positions.” These positions exist in the private and public worlds, from speech writer to event planner, producer to podcast host, journalist to policy-maker.
Communications majors study how humans send and receive messages, and how those messages are interpreted. Messages can be read in print, seen on a screen, or heard live in a speech; these messages may be carried over the Internet and viewed by millions of people. Changes in communications happen quickly, and colleges prepare communications majors to stay current with these trends.
Where do the future leaders of these communication fields receive the best education? Where can students combine hands-on experience with student-centered learning from expert professors?
For this list today, we are looking at 10 amazing communications schools with outstanding faculty, student accomplishments and awards, opportunities for on-campus communications training (e.g., student newspapers), and alumni placement into the industry.
Here are College Gazette’s picks for the 10 best colleges for communications majors in the US.
- Villanova University (Villanova, PA)
Villanova University
photo via Wikimedia Commons
Located less than 20 miles from Philadelphia, Villanova University offers communication majors numerous opportunities for student-centered learning. World-class professors combine with over a century of communications experience to make Villanova a must-see for any prospective communications major.
Opportunities for communications majors include writing for The Villanovan, the university’s recognized and accredited student-run newspaper, which publishes 12 issues per semester at 6500 copies per issue. The newspaper has run continually since its founding in 1916.
Additionally, there is a bi-weekly publication called The Villanova Times, recognized by the Collegiate Network in 2009. TVT is entirely student-organized and published by communications majors. Yet another publication, The Belle Air Yearbook, has been student-run for nearly 100 years. Villanova students have won national awards and honorable mentions for their yearbooks from a number of organizations, including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
Villanova also has its own student-run television and radio stations, where communication majors learn production techniques by creating original content. Radio station WXVU can be heard at 89.1 FM and globally via the Internet, while television station WVTV keeps Villanova informed on current events, politics, and campus news.
Howie Long, NFL player and Fox NFL Sunday host, is an alumni of the Villanova communications program.
- Northwestern University School of Communication (Evanston, IL)
Northwestern University
photo via Wikimedia Commons
Historically, Northwestern’s communications program has been among the most accomplished in the entire world, having graduated many of the world’s most famous personalities. Some of these alumni include Stephen Colbert, Warren Beatty, and award-winning actress Heather Headley, among many others.
Whereas many other communications programs have a focus on production, journalism, and broadcasting, Northwestern’s numerous specializations in communications include performing arts, designing digital media, speech-language pathology, and more. This all said, Northwestern’s communications program does also include a more traditional education in television, film, and radio.
Faculty in Northwestern’s communications program include Todd Rosenthal, a Tony-award winning scenic designer, Anna Shapiro, director of the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre, and Dilip Gaonkar, the director of Northwestern’s Center for Global Culture and Communication.
- Boston University College of Communication (Boston, MA)
Boston University College of Communication
photo via Wikimedia Commons
The Boston University College of Communications offers several Bachelor of Science degrees in specific areas of communications. A college situated on the banks of the Charles River, Boston University and its students benefit from the urban opportunities afforded to them in a city brimming with professional media companies.
At Boston University, communications students can work toward degrees that specialize in advertising, media, film and television, and public relations.
Student-run radio station WTBU was named College Station of the Year twice in a row by the College Radio Awards in New York City. This radio station broadcasts 20 hours a day from the third floor of BU’s College of Communications, programming sports and news topics as spun by its students.
Two of the College of Communication’s best experiential offerings are the AdLab and PRLab, student-run initiatives focused on providing students real-world communications experience while in college. Faithfully accomplishing this mission, the AdLab and PRLab provide both paid and pro bono communications services to Boston area businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Bachelor of Science Communication Studies120 Credits | School of Liberal Arts | Dobbs Ferry & Manhattan
Communication Studies majors are taught to apply communication history, theory, law, and principles to solve communication challenges. They will explore theoretical questions, such as why we communicate, what it means to be a good communicator, and how to practice the nuanced art of communication.
Students will develop speaking, writing and listening skills and prepare to become creative problem solvers in an ever-changing, always-on digital world. Our comprehensive curriculum offers a balanced combination of theory and practice, small class sizes, and tailored course-work in line with students’ career goals.
Career Opportunities
Employers often rank written and verbal communication skills as top attributes when recruiting for new employees. Communication Studies students gain marketable skills that will put their resumes on the top of the pile.
Our graduates pursue competitive careers in corporate communications, marketing, advertising, content development, and public relations. Representative job titles include:
- Public relations assistant
- Social media strategist
- Content writer
- Marketing and advertising specialist
- Community relations specialist
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