Communication Management and Strategic Communication: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals aiming to shape organizational influence through purposeful messaging, this program equips learners with the analytical and strategic capabilities needed to craft and execute high-impact communication initiatives. It emphasizes the integration of theory and practice across evolving media landscapes to support mission-driven outcomes in diverse sectors.
- Communication Management: The systematic planning, coordination, and oversight of internal and external messaging to align with organizational objectives and stakeholder engagement goals.
- Crisis Communication: The development and deployment of proactive and responsive messaging strategies during high-stakes events to protect reputation and maintain public trust.
- Communications Law: Legal frameworks governing media content, privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance in public and private communication practices.
- Digital and Traditional Marketing Strategies: Integrated approaches to audience outreach using both established platforms (e.g., print, broadcast) and modern digital channels (e.g., email, search, display).
- Media Relations: Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with journalists, news outlets, and editorial teams to shape public perception and disseminate key messages.
- Social Media Strategies: Data-informed planning and execution of content across platforms to foster engagement, build communities, and amplify organizational narratives.
- Strategic Communication: The deliberate design of messaging campaigns grounded in audience analysis, goal setting, and measurable impact assessment.
- Traditional and Emerging Media: Exploration of established communication channels alongside evolving formats such as podcasts, live streaming, and interactive content platforms.
- Writing for the Media: Skill development in crafting compelling, accurate, and audience-appropriate content tailored for press releases, op-eds, blogs, and multimedia storytelling.
Communication Management and Strategic Communication Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Communication Management and Strategic Communication Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Communication Management and Strategic Communication degrees, including Public Relations Managers and Fundraising Managers. 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 112,980 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 |
| Fundraising Managers 11-2033 | $123,480 | $73,700 - $216,660 | 36,920 | $59.36 |
Communication Management and Strategic Communication Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $80,535 in West Virginia to $170,100 in New York—a 111% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 112,980 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 Communication Management and Strategic Communication by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 55 institutions offering Communication Management and Strategic 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 Communication Management and Strategic Communication is found at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (570 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (199 graduates), West Virginia University (WVU) (154 graduates), Elon University (136 graduates), and Miami University, Oxford (129 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,956 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
570 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
199 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Master's
|
154 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Elon University |
Bachelor's
|
136 | Elon, North Carolina | Private | elon.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
129 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
126 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
88 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Other Award
|
44 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Troy University (TROY) |
Master's
|
41 | Troy, Alabama | Public | troy.edu |
| Hampton University |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Hampton, Virginia | Private | hamptonu.edu |
| Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) |
Master's
|
26 | Hammond, Louisiana | Public | southeastern.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
26 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Other Award
|
22 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| California Lutheran University (CLU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Thousand Oaks, California | Private | callutheran.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
21 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| Belmont University |
Master's
|
15 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Post-Master's
|
14 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Regent University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Marshall, Texas | Private | etbu.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Other Award
|
9 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Concordia University |
Master's
|
8 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| State University of New York |
Master's
|
8 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship) |
Master's
|
8 | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | ship.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Master's
|
7 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| Calvin University |
Master's
|
6 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Abilene, Texas | Private | hsutx.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Master's
|
5 | Martin, Tennessee | Public | utm.edu |
| University of Advancing Technology (UAT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
5 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | uat.edu |
| Webster University |
Other Award
|
4 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Canisius University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Buffalo, New York | Private | canisius.edu |
| Marietta College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Marietta, Ohio | Private | marietta.edu |
| Eastern University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| University of Houston (UHD) |
Master's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Juniata College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntingdon, Pennsylvania | Private | juniata.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Milligan University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Milligan, Tennessee | Private | milligan.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Communication Management and Strategic Communication programs
How much can I earn with a Communication Management and Strategic Communication degree?
Salaries for Communication Management and Strategic Communication graduates vary by role and location. Public Relations Managers earn a median of $138,520 annually, while Fundraising Managers earn around $123,480. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $170,100 compared to $80,535 in West Virginia. Approximately 112,980 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 Communication Management and Strategic Communication programs?
Currently 55 accredited institutions offer Communication Management and Strategic Communication degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (570 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (199 graduates), and West Virginia University (WVU) (154 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.
What career paths are available with a Communication Management and Strategic Communication degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Public Relations Managers, Fundraising Managers, . Related occupations employ approximately 112,980 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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