by our College Data Analytics TeamMajoring in the field of Communication and Journalism will equip students with all types of knowledge on how to communicate with the general public through a plethora of media outlets. You will have the opportunity to take classes ranging from speech writing to design and layout while learning how to improve your writing and verbal communication skills.
There are many options when it comes to choosing your major within this field. Communications and Media Studies gives you the opportunity to study communications at broad level and understand all types of media. If you are passionate about reporting news stories to the public you may choose to go into Journalism. Or if you are interested in building a reputation or brand for clients Public Relations and Advertising may be a good choice. You also have the option to focus on Radio, Television, and Digital Communication to learn skills to design, develop, and manage types of digital media or major in Publishing and focus on layout and design. No matter what major you decide to focus on, a degree in communication and journalism will enhance your writing and verbal communication skills, making you a great candidate for any type of employment.
In 2021-2022, communication & journalism was the 11th most popular major nationwide with 116,994 degrees awarded. This year's Best Communication & Journalism Schools ranking compares 596 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom communication & journalism rankings further below.
Those going into the communications field should enjoy communicating through the written word as well as through interaction with people. A career in this field will require constant meetings with clients, other communications professionals, and members of the media. Communications professionals are often in fast paced careers, making the skills to balance multiple projects a necessity. This field of study is also best suited for students who are detail oriented and enjoy problem solving and investigation.
Typically, most careers in the communications and journalism fields are full time, but don't stick to the 40-hour workweek. New stories may cause journalists to work at odd hours while long projects or deadlines will force communications specialists to work in evenings and on the weekend.
communication & journalism degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional communication & journalism certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different communication & journalism degree levels. You can get anything from a in communication & journalism to the highest communication & journalism degree, a . Communication & Journalism programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to communication & journalism, with approximately 53.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to communication & journalism tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 54.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 10.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.1% |
| Some College Courses | 8.6% |
| High School Diploma | 8.0% |
Most workers in communication & journalism have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in communication & journalism have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the communication & journalism career you are seeking.
A degree in the communications and journalism field opens a wide array of career options to graduates. You may decide to work in a public relations firm, at a publishing house, as a representative for a major corporation, as a speechwriter, or work as a consultant. No matter what career path you choose, you can be confident that your degree in communication and journalism will give you the skills to work and advance within any organization.
Want a job when you graduate with your communication & journalism degree? Communication & Journalism careers are expected to grow 6.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communication & journalism.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 282,600 | 8.9% |
| Producers and Directors | 151,200 | 12.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 141,200 | 7.6% |
| Photographers | 139,000 | -5.6% |
With an online bachelor's degree in communication you'll have the opportunity to pursue a multitude of career options. From journalism and social media, to public relations, advertising and mass media, earning your BA in communication will allow you to strategize and communicate your ideas.
Effective communicators are always in demand, no matter the industry. The Master's in Communication degree from Southern New Hampshire University is a cutting-edge program designed for forward-thinking professionals.
BA in Communication - New Media
Explore the digital frontier as it relates to today's communications strategies with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Communication & Journalism graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $37,305 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $8,558 to as high as $96,837. As you might expect, salaries for communication & journalism graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for communication & journalism graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers communication & journalism grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $133,090 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $131,570 |
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Broadcast News Analysts | $91,990 |
| Artist, Athlete, and Performer Agents and Business Managers | $90,930 |
With over 6,278 different communication & journalism degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased communication & journalism school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Communication & Journalism that might interest you.
With an online bachelor's degree in communication you'll have the opportunity to pursue a multitude of career options. From journalism and social media, to public relations, advertising and mass media, earning your BA in communication will allow you to strategize and communicate your ideas.
Effective communicators are always in demand, no matter the industry. The Master's in Communication degree from Southern New Hampshire University is a cutting-edge program designed for forward-thinking professionals.
BA in Communication - New Media
Explore the digital frontier as it relates to today's communications strategies with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 62,855 |
| Public Relations & Advertising | 21,275 |
| Radio, Television & Digital Communication | 18,286 |
| Journalism | 12,911 |
| Communication & Journalism (Other) | 1,349 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 538,925 |
| Social Sciences | 197,356 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 54,010 |
| English Language & Literature | 52,704 |
| History | 31,443 |
Image Credit: By Josh Hallett under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
