Organizational Communication: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Organizational Communication is a dynamic field dedicated to understanding how information flows, shapes culture, and influences performance within professional environments. This discipline examines the complex interplay of human interaction, strategic messaging, and structural dynamics that drive effective collaboration and leadership in modern organizations.
- Interpersonal Group Relations: Explores the development and nurturing of productive relationships among team members, emphasizing trust, empathy, and collaboration in diverse work settings.
- Decision-Making and Conflict Management: Investigates processes for effective group decision-making and strategies for resolving disagreements constructively, promoting organizational stability and innovation.
- Symbolic Communication and Organizational Identity: Analyzes how language, rituals, logos, and narratives are used to shape and sustain an organization’s mission, values, and public image.
- Power and Politics in Organizations: Studies the influence of informal networks, authority structures, and strategic behavior on communication patterns and organizational outcomes.
- Human-Technology Interaction: Addresses how digital tools, platforms, and automation affect communication practices, workflow efficiency, and employee engagement.
- Communication and Socialization: Examines how communication processes integrate new members into organizational culture, reinforce shared norms, and support long-term employee development.
Organizational Communication Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Organizational Communication Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Organizational Communication degrees, including Human Resources Managers, Training and Development Managers and Training and Development Specialists. 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 697,090 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Managers 11-3121 | $140,030 | $83,790 - $239,200 | 215,520 | $67.32 |
| Training and Development Managers 11-3131 | $127,090 | $75,810 - $219,990 | 44,960 | $61.10 |
| Training and Development Specialists 13-1151 | $65,850 | $37,510 - $120,190 | 436,610 | $31.66 |
Organizational Communication Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $79,660 in Arkansas to $136,680 in New York—a 72% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Massachusetts, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 697,090 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 Organizational Communication by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 78 institutions offering Organizational Communication 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 Organizational Communication is found at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (832 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (105 graduates), Purdue University Global (61 graduates), Georgia Southern University (50 graduates), and Kennesaw State University (KSU) (45 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,789 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
832 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
105 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Other Award
|
61 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
26 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
23 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| University of Portland (UP) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Portland, Oregon | Private | up.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| Franklin University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| Park University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Assumption University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | assumption.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Master's
|
12 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| Siena Heights University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | sienaheights.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| Wingate University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Wingate, North Carolina | Private | wingate.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Master's
|
10 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Master's
|
9 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Other Award
|
9 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Master's
|
8 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
7 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Rider University |
Master's
|
7 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Ashland University |
Master's
|
7 | Ashland, Ohio | Private | ashland.edu |
| George Fox University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Billings, Montana | Public | msubillings.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Master's
|
6 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Lancaster Bible College (LBC) |
Master's
|
6 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | lbc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
6 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Drury University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | drury.edu |
| University of Mount Union |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Alliance, Ohio | Private | mountunion.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| North Central College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Naperville, Illinois | Private | northcentralcollege.edu |
| Southwestern College (SC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Winfield, Kansas | Private | sckans.edu |
| Hastings College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hastings, Nebraska | Private | hastings.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| Florida College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Temple Terrace, Florida | Private | floridacollege.edu |
| Lewis University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| Nichols College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dudley, Massachusetts | Private | nichols.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Great Lakes Christian College (GLCC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lansing, Michigan | Private | glcc.edu |
| Southwest Baptist University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bolivar, Missouri | Private | sbuniv.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| Capital University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | capital.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Buckhannon, West Virginia | Private | wvwc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Illinois College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jacksonville, Illinois | Private | ic.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Concordia University (CUAA) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Private | cuaa.edu |
| Concordia University-Nebraska |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Seward, Nebraska | Private | cune.edu |
| Doane University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Crete, Nebraska | Private | doane.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Butler County Community College (BC3) |
Associate's
|
1 | Butler, Pennsylvania | Public | bc3.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Other Award
|
1 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marshall, Texas | Private | etbu.edu |
| Northwest University (COEE) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kirkland, Washington | Private | northwestu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Organizational Communication programs
How much can I earn with a Organizational Communication degree?
Salaries for Organizational Communication graduates vary by role and location. Human Resources Managers earn a median of $140,030 annually, while Training and Development Managers earn around $127,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $136,680 compared to $79,660 in Arkansas. Approximately 697,090 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 Organizational Communication programs?
Currently 78 accredited institutions offer Organizational Communication degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (832 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (105 graduates), and Purdue University Global (61 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 Organizational Communication growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,371 in 2010 to a peak of 1,938 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,789 in 2023-24. This represents a 30% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Organizational Communication degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Human Resources Managers, Training and Development Managers, and Training and Development Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 697,090 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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