Political Communication: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Political Communication is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding how messages shape public opinion, influence political behavior, and drive decision-making within democratic systems. This program equips students with the analytical and strategic skills needed to navigate the complex intersection of politics, media, and public discourse in modern society.
- Media Effects: Explores how various forms of communication—print, broadcast, digital—impact public perception, political attitudes, and voter behavior over time.
- Political Speaking and Debating: Develops advanced rhetorical techniques, argumentation strategies, and delivery skills essential for effective political discourse and public engagement.
- Political Advertising and Marketing: Examines the design, implementation, and ethical considerations behind campaign messaging, branding, and audience targeting in electoral contexts.
- Image Management: Focuses on the strategic cultivation and maintenance of public personas for political figures, institutions, and policy initiatives.
- Political Journalism: Investigates the role of news media in reporting political events, shaping narratives, and holding power to account through investigative and interpretive reporting.
- Opinion Polling: Covers survey design, data collection methods, statistical analysis, and the interpretation of public sentiment in political forecasting and policy planning.
- Media Production in Political Contexts: Addresses the technical and ethical dimensions of creating and distributing political content across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Political Communication Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Political Communication Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Political Communication degrees, including Public Relations Managers, Communications Teachers, Postsecondary and Public Relations 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 533,390 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 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1122 | $77,800 | $47,100 - $160,210 | 29,260 | N/A |
| Public Relations Specialists 27-3031 | $69,780 | $40,750 - $129,480 | 280,590 | $33.55 |
| Fundraisers 13-1131 | $66,490 | $43,200 - $106,960 | 105,930 | $31.97 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023 | $60,280 | $34,590 - $162,430 | 41,550 | $28.98 |
Political Communication Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $57,048 in South Dakota to $107,770 in District of Columbia—a 89% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 533,390 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 Political Communication by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 8 institutions offering Political 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 Political Communication is found at George Washington University (GW) (91 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (54 graduates), American University (AU) (30 graduates), Emerson College (24 graduates), and University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 211 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
91 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
54 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Master's
|
30 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Emerson College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Political Communication programs
How much can I earn with a Political Communication degree?
Salaries for Political Communication 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 District of Columbia average $107,770 compared to $57,048 in South Dakota. Approximately 533,390 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 Political Communication programs?
Currently 8 accredited institutions offer Political Communication degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include George Washington University (GW) (91 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (54 graduates), and American University (AU) (30 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 Political Communication growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 83 in 2010 to 211 in 2023-24. This represents a 154% 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 Political Communication degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Public Relations Managers, Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, and Public Relations Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 533,390 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.
Related Communication Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Communication field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Health Communication
A program that focuses on how people, individually and collectively, understand and accommodate to health and illness and the role of communication and...
Sports Communication
A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for communicating about sports in a variety of formats, media, and contexts; and that...
International and Intercultural Communication
A program that focuses on the specialized knowledge and skills needed for effective communication in the international community and among people of different...
Technical and Scientific Communication
A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media;...
Communication Management and Strategic Communication
A program that focuses on the critical thinking, analysis, and practical skills essential to developing and implementing communication strategies that advance organizations goals...
Public Relations and Advertising
Any instructional program in organizational communication, public relations, and advertising not listed above.