Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- 24
- Schools
- $63,113
- Avg. Earnings
- 66%
- Avg. Graduation
- $27,370
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,662
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,109 at the low end to $103,937 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Worcester State University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $60,624 against $13,381 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Worcester State University at $13,381 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $60,624, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Boston College graduates 91% of its students, well above the 66% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Boston College: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Boston University ($83,238 earnings), not the highest earner, Boston College ($103,937). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Worcester State University ($13,381/yr) and Emerson College ($49,180/yr) produce graduates earning $60,624 and $62,832 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $35,799 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Worcester State University outperforms Boston College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Worcester State University and Boston College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $61K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Boston University #1 overall | $83,238 ▲ +32% vs avg | $24,402 | 89% | 82 |
| 2 Boston College #2 overall | $103,937 ▲ +65% vs avg | $41,704 | 91% | 79 |
| 3 Northeastern University #3 overall | $92,538 ▲ +47% vs avg | $30,915 | 90% | 75 |
| $57,466 ▼ -9% vs avg | $16,383 | 54% | 72 | |
| $67,506 ▲ +7% vs avg | $29,618 | 60% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 24 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,113 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 66% and an average net price of $27,370.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Worcester State University — Net Price: $13,381 | Graduation Rate: 58%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Boston College — 91% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Boston College — Median alumni earnings: $103,937
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$59,480
Median earnings (10yr)
67%
Median graduation rate
$26,678
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
The value of a humanities or creative degree resists summary in a single earnings number, but that does not make it absent. These programs build critical thinking, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving, the abilities employers consistently say they need most. Those skills compound over a career and narrow the early earnings gap with more vocational fields.
The median graduation rate across these 24 schools is 67%. Median graduate earnings reach $59,480 ten years after enrollment, roughly $11,480 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $26,678 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,000. Some 26% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.5%.
Variability is the theme across these programs, and wide ranges in both earnings and cost make school selection especially consequential. Graduates earn a median of $59,480 ten years after enrollment, and the median net price runs $26,678. Affordability is the single most effective lever for improving ROI in this category.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Boston University lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Boston College lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 65% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Northeastern University lands at #3 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Bridgewater State University lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,466 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,383 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Suffolk University lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $67,506 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,618 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Worcester State University lands at #6 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,624 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,381 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Emerson College lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $62,832 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $49,180 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Massachusetts College of Art and Design lands at #8 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $43,582 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,100 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Simmons University lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Salem State University lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $56,662 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,996 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Westfield State University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $57,346 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,721 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Gordon College lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $52,119 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,883 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Lasell University lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $49,705 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,511 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Stonehill College lands at #14 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $77,745 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,016 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Assumption University lands at #15 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $74,895 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,498 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Hampshire College lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,938 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #17
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $48,102 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Curry College lands at #18 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $54,400 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,207 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $71,631 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Fisher College lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,669 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,649 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Merrimack College lands at #21 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $75,584 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,927 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Endicott College lands at #22 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $58,336 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $40,654 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Dean College lands at #23 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $38,109 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,684 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Emmanuel College lands at #24 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $68,245 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,706 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 24 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →Communications programs in Massachusetts attract students eager to explore the dynamic world of media, messaging, and public relations. With 23 colleges offering dedicated communications degrees, prospective students have plenty of options to consider. Understanding the outcomes of these programs can help inform the decision-making process for students and their families alike.
The strongest communications schools on this list stand out for their impressive graduation rates, average earnings, and manageable debt levels. For instance, high graduation rates signal that students are not only enrolling but also successfully completing their degrees, a crucial factor for future employment. By examining both earnings potential and debt, we can see which programs may offer a more sustainable return on investment.
Take Boston College and Worcester State University, for example. While Boston College graduates boast an impressive average earning of $103,937, Worcester State's graduates earn significantly less at $60,624. However, Worcester State has a much lower net price of $13,381 compared to Boston College's $41,704. This creates a tradeoff between higher earning potential and financial burden that students should consider as they review their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 22 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Lasell University leads the group at 3.1%, with Suffolk University (2.7%) and Northeastern University (2.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Fisher College enrolls the most, at 18.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 29.5% across the list, peaking at 56.2% at Boston College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Emerson College is highest at 1.90.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When looking at the data, it's clear that Boston College outperforms Worcester State University in terms of earnings, but the financial tradeoff is significant. Boston College graduates earn an average of $103,937, while Worcester State graduates earn only $60,624. However, Worcester State's lower net price of $13,381 allows for a different kind of financial flexibility that may appeal to cost-conscious students.
After reviewing these schools, consider your own priorities. Are you more focused on potential earnings, or is affordability and lower debt more crucial for your financial situation? Take time to weigh the outcomes from this list against what matters most to you, be it campus culture, program strengths, or geographic location. Each student’s path is unique, and the right choice will align with your personal goals.
This data serves as a reminder of the important connection between education and long-term stability. For many families, choosing the right college is a pivotal decision that influences future earning potential and financial health. Each school on this list offers distinct advantages; understanding these nuances can guide families toward making a choice that resonates with their aspirations and capabilities.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Boston University in Boston, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $83,238 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 89% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Boston College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $103,937 ten years after enrollment, well above the $63,113 average across the 24 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Worcester State University leads: graduates earn a median $60,624 against net price of about $13,381 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Boston College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 91%, compared with a 66% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $27,370 a year across the 24 ranked schools with cost data. Worcester State University is among the most affordable at roughly $13,381. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 24 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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