Best Communication and Media Studies Schools in California

California has 49 colleges offering Communication and Media Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 7,874 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $36,871 on average within two years — 10% above the national average of $33,406, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Santa Clara University graduates earn $44,858 while Vanguard University of Southern California graduates earn $33,043 — a $11,815 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$36,871

CA Avg. Earnings

$33,406

National Avg.

777

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Communication and Media Studies in California

Public Schools (23)

$36,498

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (22)

$36,862

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $364 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Communication and Media Studies Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$44,858

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,040

Graduates: 89

Acceptance: 43.8%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$44,046

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,379

Graduates: 194

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$47,473

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,287

Graduates: 199

Acceptance: 11.7%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$33,459

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,455

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 29.8%

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$31,647

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,002

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 55.6%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$41,889

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,054

Graduates: 344

Acceptance: 27.8%

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$40,874

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,895

Graduates: 302

Acceptance: 41.6%

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$40,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,373

Graduates: 132

Acceptance: 40.3%

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,639

Graduates: 99

Acceptance: 46.8%

#10

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$37,424

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,432

Graduates: 98

Acceptance: 94.7%

#11

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$38,829

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,755

Graduates: 122

Acceptance: 50.8%

#12

Woodbury University

Burbank, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,146

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 72.9%

#13

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,173

Graduates: 247

Acceptance: 24.5%

#14

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$32,569

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,817

Graduates: 59

Acceptance: 48.5%

#15

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private

$44,356

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,184

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 88.6%

#16

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$43,937

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,620

Graduates: 321

Acceptance: 96.2%

#17

Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA · Private

$40,402

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,638

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 79.9%

#18

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,847

Graduates: 86

Acceptance: N/A

#19

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,193

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 88.9%

#20

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$33,535

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,509

Graduates: 253

Acceptance: 34.4%

#21

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,400

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 73.6%

#22

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA · Private

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$35,535

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,822

Graduates: 202

Acceptance: 95.7%

#24

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$36,007

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,922

Graduates: 583

Acceptance: 93.6%

#25

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$34,170

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,360

Graduates: 169

Acceptance: 93.1%

#26

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$37,038

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,383

Graduates: 228

Acceptance: 93.7%

#27

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$34,559

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,094

Graduates: 511

Acceptance: 47.1%

#28

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$37,057

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,333

Graduates: 1,049

Acceptance: 86.7%

#29

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$42,012

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,332

Graduates: 167

Acceptance: 96.8%

#30

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$40,233

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,894

Graduates: 291

Acceptance: N/A

#31

The Master's University and Seminary

Santa Clarita, CA · Private

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,949

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 75.9%

#32

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$24,615

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,504

Graduates: 212

Acceptance: 91.3%

#33

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,193

Graduates: 453

Acceptance: 93.2%

#34

San Diego Christian College

Santee, CA · Private

Concordia University-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Private

$34,704

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,624

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 59.9%

#36

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$35,142

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,066

Graduates: 132

Acceptance: 73.7%

#37

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,107

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 97.5%

#38

Biola University

La Mirada, CA · Private

$35,772

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,228

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 60.1%

#39

Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA · Private

$39,729

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,750

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: N/A

#40

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$31,346

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,022

Graduates: 213

Acceptance: 96.4%

#41

DeVry University-California

Ontario, CA · For-Profit

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$32,282

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,507

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 88.2%

#43

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$30,336

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,707

Graduates: 212

Acceptance: 98.3%

#44

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA · Private

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,147

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 81.8%

#45

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$41,286

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,664

Graduates: 119

Acceptance: 80.2%

#46

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,476

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 49.9%

#47

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA ·

$36,132

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#48

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$34,526

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,587

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 79.5%

#49

Vanguard University of Southern California

Costa Mesa, CA · Private

$33,043

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,413

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 64.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Communication and Media Studies in California?

Santa Clara University ranks #1 for Communication and Media Studies in California with median graduate earnings of $44,858 within two years of graduation. There are 49 schools offering Communication and Media Studies programs in the state.

How much do Communication and Media Studies graduates earn in California?

Communication and Media Studies graduates in California earn an average of $36,871 within two years of graduation. This is 10% above the national average of $33,406 for this major.

What is the hardest Communication and Media Studies school to get into in California?

University of Southern California is the most selective Communication and Media Studies program in California with an acceptance rate of 10.0%. The average acceptance rate across Communication and Media Studies programs in the state is 68.0%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Communication and Media Studies in California?

In California, private Communication and Media Studies programs produce average earnings of $36,862 vs $36,498 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 23 public and 22 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.