Sports Communication: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring professionals in the dynamic world of sports media, this program equips learners with the strategic communication skills needed to excel across diverse platforms and industries. It emphasizes the integration of storytelling, visual media, and real-time reporting to effectively engage audiences in fast-paced sports environments.
- Sports Writing: Develops the ability to craft compelling narratives, news articles, and feature stories tailored to different media formats, emphasizing clarity, accuracy, and journalistic integrity.
- Photography and Visual Storytelling: Focuses on capturing high-impact images and video content that convey the emotion, action, and essence of athletic events and sports culture.
- Broadcast Journalism: Trains students in on-air delivery, scripting, and performance for radio and television, with an emphasis on real-time reporting and audience engagement.
- Sports Production: Covers the technical and creative aspects of producing live and recorded sports content, including directing, editing, and managing multi-platform broadcasts.
- Game Rules and Sports Knowledge: Provides in-depth understanding of the rules, strategies, and cultural significance of major sports, enabling accurate and informed reporting.
- Media and Public Relations: Explores the principles of managing athlete and team narratives, crafting press materials, and navigating relationships with the media and public.
- Sports Promotion and Marketing: Teaches techniques for building fan engagement, organizing events, and promoting athletic programs through digital and traditional channels.
Sports Communication Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Sports Communication Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sports Communication degrees, including Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes, 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 404,540 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes 13-1011 | $96,310 | $48,530 - $239,200 | 14,220 | $46.30 |
| 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 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023 | $60,280 | $34,590 - $162,430 | 41,550 | $28.98 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys 27-3011 | $45,680 | $26,000 - $131,780 | 23,880 | $21.96 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other 27-2099 | N/A | N/A | 15,040 | $20.99 |
Sports Communication Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,700 in Vermont to $94,060 in District of Columbia—a 106% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 404,540 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 Sports Communication by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 80 institutions offering Sports 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 Sports Communication is found at Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (132 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (102 graduates), Rowan University (92 graduates), Texas Tech University (TTU) (85 graduates), and University of Rhode Island (URI) (67 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,202 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
132 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
102 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
92 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
85 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
67 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
63 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
47 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| St Bonaventure University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Saint Bonaventure, New York | Private | sbu.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
31 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Emerson College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Piedmont University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Demorest, Georgia | Private | piedmont.edu |
| Franklin College |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Franklin, Indiana | Private | franklincollege.edu |
| Susquehanna University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | Private | susqu.edu |
| High Point University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | High Point, North Carolina | Private | highpoint.edu |
| Husson University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| Iona University |
Master's
|
9 | New Rochelle, New York | Private | iona.edu |
| Illinois Media School (IMS) |
Other Award
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | beonair.com |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Ohio Media School (OMS) |
Other Award
|
8 | Valley View, Ohio | Private | beonair.com |
| Northwestern University |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Temple University |
Other Award
|
7 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Illinois Media School (IMS) |
Other Award
|
7 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | beonair.com |
| Colorado Media School |
Other Award
|
7 | Denver, Colorado | Private | beonair.com |
| Fairfield University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | pba.edu |
| Morehouse College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | morehouse.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Franklin Pierce University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Rindge, New Hampshire | Private | franklinpierce.edu |
| Wingate University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Wingate, North Carolina | Private | wingate.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Other Award
|
6 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| Point Park University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | pointpark.edu |
| Albion College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Albion, Michigan | Private | albion.edu |
| Miami Media School |
Other Award
|
4 | Doral, Florida | Private | beonair.com |
| Butler Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | El Dorado, Kansas | Public | butlercc.edu |
| Culver-Stockton College (C‑SC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Canton, Missouri | Private | culver.edu |
| University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Other Award
|
3 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Waynesburg University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Private | waynesburg.edu |
| Warner University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lake Wales, Florida | Private | warner.edu |
| Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | newmanu.edu |
| Tabor College (TC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hillsboro, Kansas | Private | tabor.edu |
| Louisiana Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pineville, Louisiana | Private | lcuniversity.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Gaston College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Dallas, North Carolina | Public | gaston.edu |
| Ashland University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ashland, Ohio | Private | ashland.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| Pacific University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Forest Grove, Oregon | Private | pacificu.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
| Ohio Media School |
Other Award
|
2 | Norwood, Ohio | Private | beonair.com |
| Ohio Media School |
Other Award
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | beonair.com |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Olney Central College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Olney, Illinois | Public | iecc.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Master's
|
1 | Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | valpo.edu |
| Briar Cliff University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | briarcliff.edu |
| Simpson College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianola, Iowa | Private | simpson.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Concordia University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Seton Hill University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Private | setonhill.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| University of Sioux Falls (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | usiouxfalls.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sports Communication programs
How much can I earn with a Sports Communication degree?
Salaries for Sports Communication graduates vary by role and location. Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes earn a median of $96,310 annually, while Communications Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $77,800. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $94,060 compared to $45,700 in Vermont. Approximately 404,540 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 Sports Communication programs?
Currently 80 accredited institutions offer Sports Communication degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (132 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (102 graduates), and Rowan University (92 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 Sports Communication growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 13 in 2010 to 1,202 in 2023-24. This represents a 9,146% 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 Sports Communication degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes, Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, and Public Relations Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 404,540 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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