Rankings / Value
Best ROI Colleges for Communications
- 50
- Schools
- $74,203
- Avg. Earnings
- 79%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,215
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,124
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $43,150 at the low end to $109,183 at the top. That 2.5× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $75,971 against $3,033 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is CUNY Hunter College, at $2,984 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Northwestern University graduates 96% of its students, well above the 79% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Berea College: graduates owe only 0.08× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Northwestern University ($89,363 earnings), not the highest earner, Santa Clara University ($109,183). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and Santa Clara University ($50,062/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $109,183 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $47,078 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College outperforms Santa Clara University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Northwestern University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 $72K 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
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
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 Northwestern University #1 overall | $89,363 ▲ +20% vs avg | $29,167 | 96% | 82 |
| 2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill #2 overall | $72,200 ▼ -3% vs avg | $11,655 | 92% | 82 |
| 3 University of Florida #3 overall | $71,588 ▼ -4% vs avg | $6,541 | 91% | 81 |
| $75,971 ▲ +2% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 81 | |
| $77,779 ▲ +5% vs avg | $19,285 | 93% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best ROI Colleges for Communications
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $74,203 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 79% and an average net price of $20,215.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwestern University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Santa Clara University — Median alumni earnings: $109,183
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$71,934
Median earnings (10yr)
82%
Median graduation rate
$18,192
Median net price
2.5%
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.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $71,934 ten years after they first enrolled, about $23,934 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 82%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,192 a year, with about $18,844 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 26% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.5%.
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 $71,934 ten years after enrollment, and the median net price runs $18,192. Affordability is the single most effective lever for improving ROI in this category.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Northwestern University lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 a year, above 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
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #2
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 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 #3
University of Florida lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #4 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Pomona College lands at #5 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,779 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year. 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 #6
Claremont McKenna College lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $104,736 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,849 a year, above 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 #7
Washington and Lee University lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year, above 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 #8
Davidson College lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 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 #9
CUNY Hunter College lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Brigham Young University lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 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 #11
Boston University lands at #11 with a 77/100 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, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 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 #12
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #12 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #13 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 a year. 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 #14
University of Central Florida lands at #14 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $58,308 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,411 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 #15
University of Georgia lands at #15 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $68,726 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,936 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 #16
Boston College lands at #16 with a 76/100 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, 40% 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 #17
University of Southern California lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $92,498 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,740 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 #18
University of North Florida lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $56,343 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,154 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 #19
Wake Forest University lands at #19 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $78,158 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,719 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 #20
San Jose State University lands at #20 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $78,988 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,760 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Florida-Online lands at #21 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Florida International University lands at #22 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,288 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 #23
James Madison University lands at #23 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $69,954 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 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
Florida Atlantic University lands at #24 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (69/100). Graduates earn a median $56,746 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,752 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 #25
University of South Florida lands at #25 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $57,743 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,812 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 #26
Florida State University lands at #26 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $61,675 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,297 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 #27
Northeastern University lands at #27 with a 74/100 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, 25% 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
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #28
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #28 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 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 #29
University of Utah lands at #29 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $67,170 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,200 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 #30
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #30 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,541 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,173 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 #31
Scripps College lands at #31 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $77,539 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,294 a year, above 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 #32
Michigan State University lands at #32 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,253 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,680 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 #33
Trinity University lands at #33 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $71,668 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,464 a year, above 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 #34
DePauw University lands at #34 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $70,527 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,264 a year, above 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 #35
San Francisco State University lands at #35 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $68,077 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,278 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 #36
New York University lands at #36 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 a year, above 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 #37
Berea College lands at #37 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $43,150 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Santa Clara University lands at #38 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $109,183 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,062 a year, above 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 #39
The College of New Jersey lands at #39 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $73,323 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,646 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 #40
University of the Pacific lands at #40 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $78,445 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,447 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
Edwardsville, IL · 98% accepted · $14,889 net
Why it ranks #41
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lands at #41 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,346 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,889 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 #42
Texas Christian University lands at #42 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,424 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,660 a year, above 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 #43
University of Delaware lands at #43 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $72,950 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,799 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 #44
Washington State University lands at #44 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $68,905 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,971 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 #45
Villanova University lands at #45 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 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 #46
George Washington University lands at #46 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $90,873 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,586 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 #47
University of Connecticut lands at #47 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 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 #48
San Diego State University lands at #48 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $64,909 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,364 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 #49
Florida Gulf Coast University lands at #49 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $54,560 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,568 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 #50
SUNY College at Geneseo lands at #50 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $67,316 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,211 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
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 →This list highlights colleges that provide the best return on investment for students pursuing a degree in Communications. With average earnings of $73,286 for graduates in this field, these institutions stand out for their ability to prepare students for lucrative careers.
What sets these schools apart is a combination of high graduation rates, manageable debt levels, and strong post-graduation earnings. The rankings below reflect schools that excel not only in academic completion but also in helping students secure good-paying jobs while minimizing their financial burden.
For instance, Northwestern University leads the pack with an impressive average earnings figure of $89,363. In contrast, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College boasts a much lower net price at $3,033, but its average earnings trail behind at $75,971. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs between cost and potential financial return that students must consider.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 48 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.5%. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Brooklyn College (8.1%) and CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.3% of students start in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads at 27.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 40.8% across this list. Claremont McKenna College posts the highest success rate at 68.3%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.73 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Claremont McKenna College reaches 1.90, the highest on the list.
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
Where These Schools Are Located
When we look closer at the data, a clear distinction emerges between schools. Northwestern University not only leads in earnings at $89,363 but also maintains a high graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, while offering a very low net price, has a graduation rate of just 72% and average earnings of $75,971. This performance gap suggests that while cost is a critical factor, securing a degree from a school with higher completion rates can yield significantly better financial outcomes.
Now that you've explored 50 schools, it's essential to weigh this data against your own priorities. Consider factors like campus culture, location, and how each program aligns with your career goals. A school may have high earnings statistics, but if it doesn't feel like the right fit for you personally, it might not be the best choice in the long run. Focus on what matters to you and how these factors will influence your college experience and future career.
Looking at the big picture, this data underscores the importance of a degree in navigating toward a stable life. For many families, the decision of which college to attend is not just about education but about laying a foundation for future success. Choosing the right institution can make a significant impact on financial stability, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life after graduation.
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 ROI Colleges for Communications: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best ROI Colleges for Communications ranking? +
Northwestern University in Evanston, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best ROI Colleges for Communications ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $89,363 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% 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? +
Santa Clara University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $109,183 ten years after enrollment, well above the $74,203 average across the 50 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, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 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? +
Northwestern University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 79% 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 $20,215 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best ROI Colleges for Communications 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 50 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
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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