Business Communications: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Business Communications is a specialized academic field focused on developing advanced skills in crafting, refining, and delivering clear, professional, and strategically effective written and digital content within organizational contexts. This program equips learners with the expertise to produce high-impact communications that support decision-making, enhance internal and external messaging, and uphold brand integrity across diverse business environments.
- Professional Writing for Business: Mastering the creation of formal documents such as reports, proposals, executive summaries, and policy briefs tailored to specific audiences and organizational goals.
- Technical and Digital Communication: Learning to design and deliver precise, audience-centered messages using digital platforms, including emails, web content, social media, and multimedia presentations.
- Editing and Proofreading Strategies: Developing rigorous standards for reviewing and refining written materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, clarity, and adherence to style guides.
- Visual and Multimodal Communication: Integrating graphic elements, data visualization, and layout principles to enhance the impact and readability of business documents and presentations.
- Business Ethics and Audience Analysis: Understanding the ethical responsibilities in communication and applying audience-centered approaches to ensure messages are appropriate, inclusive, and effective.
- Project and Workflow Management: Gaining proficiency in organizing and managing communication projects across teams, timelines, and stakeholder expectations with precision and efficiency.
Business Communications Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Business Communications Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Business Communications degrees, including Public Relations Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary and Technical Writers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 671,660 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers 11-2032 | $138,520 | $78,880 - $239,200 | 76,060 | $66.60 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Technical Writers 27-3042 | $91,670 | $54,400 - $130,430 | 55,530 | $44.07 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1122 | $77,800 | $47,100 - $160,210 | 29,260 | N/A |
| Editors 27-3041 | $75,260 | $36,200 - $140,840 | 95,480 | $36.18 |
| Writers and Authors 27-3043 | $72,270 | $41,080 - $133,680 | 47,800 | $34.75 |
| Public Relations Specialists 27-3031 | $69,780 | $40,750 - $129,480 | 280,590 | $33.55 |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers 43-9081 | $49,210 | $33,530 - $78,040 | 5,160 | $23.66 |
Business Communications Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $62,513 in South Dakota to $106,573 in District of Columbia—a 70% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 671,660 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Business Communications by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 57 institutions offering Business Communications programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Business Communications is found at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (222 graduates), Chapman University (78 graduates), Harvard University (66 graduates), Marquette University (39 graduates), and Central Michigan University (CMU) (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 801 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
222 | New York, New York | Public | baruch.cuny.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
78 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
66 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Other Award
|
31 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Abington, Pennsylvania | Public | abington.psu.edu |
| Stevenson University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Owings Mills, Maryland | Private | stevenson.edu |
| Bentley University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | bentley.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Master's
|
14 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Lycoming College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Private | lycoming.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Master's
|
11 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Other Award
|
11 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Aquinas College (AQ) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | aquinas.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Chestnut Hill College (CHC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | chc.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Master's
|
8 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Dunmore, Pennsylvania | Public | scranton.psu.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Master's
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania | Public | schuylkill.psu.edu |
| Middle Georgia State University (MGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Macon, Georgia | Public | mga.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Augustana University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | augie.edu |
| York County Community College (YCCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Wells, Maine | Public | yccc.edu |
| Westminster College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Fulton, Missouri | Private | wcmo.edu |
| Manchester Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | mccnh.edu |
| Walsh University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | North Canton, Ohio | Private | walsh.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Sharon, Pennsylvania | Public | shenango.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Public | lehighvalley.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | York, Pennsylvania | Public | york.psu.edu |
| Christian Brothers University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | cbu.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Millikin University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Waldorf University |
Associate's
|
3 | Forest City, Iowa | Private | waldorf.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania | Public | fayette.psu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
|
2 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Trinity Christian College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Palos Heights, Illinois | Private | trnty.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | nhcc.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| Western Colorado University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Gunnison, Colorado | Public | western.edu |
| Grand View University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | grandview.edu |
| University of New Orleans (UNO) |
Other Award
|
1 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | new.uno.edu |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Standish, Maine | Private | sjcme.edu |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Coon Rapids, Minnesota | Public | anokaramsey.edu |
| Rockhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | rockhurst.edu |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | cps.unh.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hazleton, Pennsylvania | Public | hazleton.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Business Communications programs
How much can I earn with a Business Communications degree?
Salaries for Business Communications graduates vary by role and location. Public Relations Managers earn a median of $138,520 annually, while Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $97,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $106,573 compared to $62,513 in South Dakota. Approximately 671,660 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Business Communications programs?
Currently 57 accredited institutions offer Business Communications degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (222 graduates), Chapman University (78 graduates), and Harvard University (66 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Business Communications growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 908 in 2010 to a peak of 1,029 in 2020, before declining slightly to 801 in 2023-24. This represents a 12% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Business Communications degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Public Relations Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, and Technical Writers. Related occupations employ approximately 671,660 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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