UnisHub University Compass

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)

1,202
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
80
Universities & Colleges
6
Career Pathways

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

Salary Comparison

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 Admissions Location Control Website
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU)
Bachelor's
Master's
132 N/A Tempe, Arizona Public asu.edu
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Other Award
102 SAT: 1360-1510
ACT: 28-32
Madison, Wisconsin Public wisc.edu
Rowan University
Bachelor's
Other Award
92 SAT: 1100-1310
ACT: 26-30
Glassboro, New Jersey Public rowan.edu
Texas Tech University (TTU)
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
85 SAT: 1090-1270
ACT: 22-28
Lubbock, Texas Public ttu.edu
University of Rhode Island (URI)
Bachelor's
67 SAT: 1030-1270
ACT: 26-31
Kingston, Rhode Island Public web.uri.edu
University of Nebraska (UNL)
Bachelor's
63 SAT: 1090-1330
ACT: 22-28
Lincoln, Nebraska Public unl.edu
Full Sail University
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
47 N/A Winter Park, Florida Private fullsail.edu
Montclair State University
Bachelor's
39 SAT: 940-1225 Montclair, New Jersey Public montclair.edu
Oklahoma State University (OSU)
Bachelor's
38 SAT: 1030-1240
ACT: 20-27
Stillwater, Oklahoma Public okstate.edu
St Bonaventure University (SBU)
Bachelor's
Master's
33 SAT: 1050-1260
ACT: 23-30
Saint Bonaventure, New York Private sbu.edu
Clemson University
Bachelor's
33 SAT: 1230-1390
ACT: 28-32
Clemson, South Carolina Public clemson.edu
University of Georgia (UGA)
Other Award
31 SAT: 1160-1390
ACT: 25-32
Athens, Georgia Public uga.edu
Emerson College
Bachelor's
Master's
30 SAT: 1250-1410
ACT: 30-33
Boston, Massachusetts Private emerson.edu
Sacred Heart University (SHU)
Bachelor's
26 N/A Fairfield, Connecticut Private sacredheart.edu
Ithaca College (IC)
Bachelor's
24 SAT: 1190-1370
ACT: 27-31
Ithaca, New York Private ithaca.edu
Bradley University
Bachelor's
23 SAT: 1090-1300
ACT: 25-31
Peoria, Illinois Private bradley.edu
Butler University
Bachelor's
23 SAT: 1180-1360
ACT: 26-31
Indianapolis, Indiana Private butler.edu
DePaul University
Bachelor's
22 SAT: 1130-1340
ACT: 26-31
Chicago, Illinois Private depaul.edu
Siena College
Bachelor's
19 SAT: 1093-1360
ACT: 26-29
Loudonville, New York Private siena.edu
Ferris State University (FSU)
Bachelor's
Other Award
13 SAT: 890-1120
ACT: 18-26
Big Rapids, Michigan Public ferris.edu
Piedmont University
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 990-1170
ACT: 18-24
Demorest, Georgia Private piedmont.edu
Franklin College
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 1020-1200
ACT: 21-27
Franklin, Indiana Private franklincollege.edu
Susquehanna University
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 1090-1290
ACT: 22-31
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania Private susqu.edu
High Point University (HPU)
Bachelor's
10 SAT: 1110-1300
ACT: 23-31
High Point, North Carolina Private highpoint.edu
Husson University
Bachelor's
10 SAT: 1000-1220 Bangor, Maine Private husson.edu
Iona University
Master's
9 SAT: 1055-1265
ACT: 20-28
New Rochelle, New York Private iona.edu
Illinois Media School (IMS)
Other Award
9 N/A Chicago, Illinois Private beonair.com
Mississippi College (MC)
Bachelor's
8 ACT: 19-26 Clinton, Mississippi Private mc.edu
Duquesne University
Bachelor's
8 SAT: 1160-1350
ACT: 26-31
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Private duq.edu
Ohio Media School (OMS)
Other Award
8 N/A Valley View, Ohio Private beonair.com
Northwestern University
Post-Master's
7 SAT: 1490-1560
ACT: 33-35
Evanston, Illinois Private northwestern.edu
University of Evansville (UE)
Bachelor's
7 N/A Evansville, Indiana Private evansville.edu
Rider University
Bachelor's
7 SAT: 1100-1310
ACT: 22-29
Lawrenceville, New Jersey Private rider.edu
Temple University
Other Award
7 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public temple.edu
Illinois Media School (IMS)
Other Award
7 N/A Chicago, Illinois Private beonair.com
Colorado Media School
Other Award
7 N/A Denver, Colorado Private beonair.com
Fairfield University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 1240-1380
ACT: 29-32
Fairfield, Connecticut Private fairfield.edu
Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA)
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 970-1210
ACT: 19-26
West Palm Beach, Florida Private pba.edu
Morehouse College
Bachelor's
6 ACT: 19-23 Atlanta, Georgia Private morehouse.edu
Webster University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 1006-1233
ACT: 20-28
Saint Louis, Missouri Private webster.edu
Franklin Pierce University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 945-1140 Rindge, New Hampshire Private franklinpierce.edu
Wingate University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 990-1270
ACT: 18-24
Wingate, North Carolina Private wingate.edu
Miami University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 1210-1380
ACT: 26-31
Oxford, Ohio Public miamioh.edu
University of Wisconsin
Other Award
6 ACT: 18-24 Whitewater, Wisconsin Public uww.edu
Florida Southern College (FSC)
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 1170-1310
ACT: 25-30
Lakeland, Florida Private flsouthern.edu
Point Park University
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 1035-1240
ACT: 19-27
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Private pointpark.edu
Albion College
Bachelor's
4 N/A Albion, Michigan Private albion.edu
Miami Media School
Other Award
4 N/A Doral, Florida Private beonair.com
Butler Community College
Associate's
3 N/A El Dorado, Kansas Public butlercc.edu
Culver-Stockton College (C‑SC)
Bachelor's
3 ACT: 18-21 Canton, Missouri Private culver.edu
University of Mount Olive (UMO)
Bachelor's
3 ACT: 17-22 Mount Olive, North Carolina Private umo.edu
University of North Dakota (UND)
Other Award
3 N/A Grand Forks, North Dakota Public und.edu
Robert Morris University (RMU)
Bachelor's
3 N/A Moon Township, Pennsylvania Private rmu.edu
Waynesburg University
Bachelor's
3 SAT: 1000-1220
ACT: 16-25
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania Private waynesburg.edu
Warner University
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 840-1070
ACT: 14-20
Lake Wales, Florida Private warner.edu
Newman University
Bachelor's
2 N/A Wichita, Kansas Private newmanu.edu
Tabor College (TC)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 830-1130
ACT: 18-23
Hillsboro, Kansas Private tabor.edu
Louisiana Christian University (LCU)
Bachelor's
2 N/A Pineville, Louisiana Private lcuniversity.edu
Campbell University
Bachelor's
2 N/A Buies Creek, North Carolina Private campbell.edu
Gaston College
Associate's
Other Award
2 N/A Dallas, North Carolina Public gaston.edu
Ashland University
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1020-1255
ACT: 20-25
Ashland, Ohio Private ashland.edu
Oklahoma City University (OCU)
Bachelor's
2 ACT: 20-26 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Private okcu.edu
Pacific University
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 990-1240
ACT: 17-28
Forest Grove, Oregon Private pacificu.edu
Lipscomb University
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1145-1350
ACT: 22-29
Nashville, Tennessee Private lipscomb.edu
LeTourneau University (LETU)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1140-1370
ACT: 23-30
Longview, Texas Private letu.edu
Ohio Media School
Other Award
2 N/A Norwood, Ohio Private beonair.com
Ohio Media School
Other Award
2 N/A Columbus, Ohio Private beonair.com
Lewis-Clark State College (LC State)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Lewiston, Idaho Public lcsc.edu
Olney Central College (OCC)
Associate's
1 N/A Olney, Illinois Public iecc.edu
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis)
Master's
1 SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 21-28
Indianapolis, Indiana Public indianapolis.iu.edu
Valparaiso University (Valpo)
Master's
1 SAT: 1080-1310
ACT: 25-30
Valparaiso, Indiana Private valpo.edu
Briar Cliff University
Bachelor's
1 N/A Sioux City, Iowa Private briarcliff.edu
Simpson College
Bachelor's
1 ACT: 31-33 Indianola, Iowa Private simpson.edu
Upper Iowa University (UIU)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 970-1160
ACT: 14-21
Fayette, Iowa Private uiu.edu
Concordia University
Bachelor's
1 N/A Saint Paul, Minnesota Private csp.edu
Long Island University (LIU)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1140-1350
ACT: 25-30
Brookville, New York Private liu.edu
Seton Hill University
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1070-1270
ACT: 21-27
Greensburg, Pennsylvania Private setonhill.edu
York College of Pennsylvania (YCP)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1030-1230
ACT: 22-28
York, Pennsylvania Private ycp.edu
University of Sioux Falls (USF)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Sioux Falls, South Dakota Private usiouxfalls.edu
Southern Utah University (SUU)
Other Award
1 N/A 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.

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.

Found this helpful? Share it!

Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.