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CollegeROIData

Communications & Media Majors, ROI Rankings (2026)

14 communications & media majors across 304 school-major combinations analyzed for debt, earnings, and job market outlook.

14
Majors
69/100
Avg ROI Score
$27K
Avg Median Debt
$57K
Avg Year 1 Earnings

Communications & Media Majors by Average ROI

#MajorAvg ROI Score
1Computer Software and Media Applications95/100
2Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications95/100
3Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
4Business/Corporate Communications77/100
5Communication Disorders Sciences and Services76/100
6Graphic Communications66/100
7Journalism66/100
8Communication and Media Studies65/100
9Radio, Television, and Digital Communication65/100
10Audiovisual Communications Technologies65/100
11Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication65/100
12Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other65/100
13Educational/Instructional Media Design62/100
14Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management60/100

Top 50 Communications & Media Programs by ROI

#SchoolMajorROI Score
1Atlantic UniversityComputer Software and Media Applications99/100
2Bellevue CollegeComputer Software and Media Applications96/100
3Art Center College of DesignComputer Software and Media Applications95/100
4Beacon CollegeComputer Software and Media Applications95/100
5Berklee College of MusicComputer Software and Media Applications95/100
6California Institute of the ArtsComputer Software and Media Applications95/100
7Capella UniversityComputer Systems Networking and Telecommunications95/100
8Champlain CollegeComputer Software and Media Applications95/100
9College for Creative StudiesComputer Software and Media Applications95/100
10Academy of Art UniversityComputer Software and Media Applications94/100
11California College of the ArtsComputer Software and Media Applications94/100
12Capella UniversityComputer Software and Media Applications94/100
13Blackburn CollegeComputer Software and Media Applications93/100
14Capitol Technology UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering90/100
15Caribbean University-BayamonElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering90/100
16Caribbean University-PonceElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering90/100
17College of Our Lady of the ElmsComputer Software and Media Applications90/100
18Carnegie Mellon UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering87/100
19California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering86/100
20College of Staten Island CUNYElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering86/100
21California Institute of TechnologyElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
22California State Polytechnic University-PomonaElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
23California State University-BakersfieldElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
24Case Western Reserve UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
25Christopher Newport UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
26Clarkson UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
27Clemson UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
28Colorado School of MinesElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering85/100
29Alabama A & M UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering84/100
30Anderson UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering84/100
31Arkansas Tech UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering84/100
32Cleveland State UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering84/100
33Christian Brothers UniversityElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering82/100
34Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering82/100
35Aquinas CollegeBusiness/Corporate Communications78/100
36Bridgewater State UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services78/100
37Adelphi UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
38Albizu University-San JuanCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
39Augustana UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
40Baylor UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
41Bentley UniversityBusiness/Corporate Communications77/100
42Biola UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
43California State University-FresnoCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
44California State University-FullertonCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
45California State University-San MarcosCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
46Chapman UniversityBusiness/Corporate Communications77/100
47Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services77/100
48Arkansas State UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services76/100
49Augustana CollegeCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services76/100
50Baldwin Wallace UniversityCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services76/100

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Frequently Asked Questions

CollegeROIData tracks 14 communications & media majors across 304 school-major combinations with detailed debt and earnings data.

The average ROI Score for communications & media programs is 69/100. Average median debt is $27K with average first-year earnings of $57K.

Among communications & media majors, Computer Software and Media Applications has the highest average ROI Score at 95/100. The best individual program is Atlantic University in Computer Software and Media Applications with a score of 99/100.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last updated:

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.