Mass Communication and Media Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Mass Communication and Media Studies graduates vary by role and location. Public Relations Managers earn a median of $138,520 annually, while Communications Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $77,800. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $115,158 compared to $51,887 in Wyoming. Approximately 290,150 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 314 accredited institutions offer Mass Communication and Media Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (380 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (363 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (355 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 9,929 in 2010 to a peak of 10,959 in 2020, before declining slightly to 8,694 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.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Public Relations Managers, Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, and Editors. Related occupations employ approximately 290,150 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.