Communication and Media Studies associate's degree programs in California
Compare 25 reporting programs using the same federal field and associate's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in California
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1West Valley CollegeSaratoga · Debt not reported$65,2802College of San MateoSan Mateo · Debt not reported$65,1203Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose · Debt not reported$63,8354Skyline CollegeSan Bruno · Debt not reported$61,4265San Diego City CollegeSan Diego · Debt not reported$60,7166San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego · Debt not reported$56,3217Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa · Debt not reported$53,8298De Anza CollegeCupertino · Debt not reported$53,7389College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita · Debt not reported$49,94010Gavilan CollegeGilroy · Debt not reported$49,070
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA
What related occupations pay in California
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-2032Public Relations Managers
- State median wage
- $167,980
- Middle 50% wage range
- $125,550–$222,310
- State employment
- 9,400
- Projected growth
- +5.7%
- Annual openings
- 6,100
25-1122Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $135,000
- Middle 50% wage range
- $102,290–$186,490
- State employment
- 3,140
- Projected growth
- +2.1%
- Annual openings
- 2,400
27-3043Writers and Authors
- State median wage
- $86,480
- Middle 50% wage range
- $75,530–$127,870
- State employment
- 8,390
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 11,900
27-3041Editors
- State median wage
- $98,030
- Middle 50% wage range
- $71,090–$136,820
- State employment
- 14,830
- Projected growth
- -1.1%
- Annual openings
- 7,900
27-3031Public Relations Specialists
- State median wage
- $85,030
- Middle 50% wage range
- $64,460–$121,180
- State employment
- 32,710
- Projected growth
- +1.8%
- Annual openings
- 23,000
11-2033Fundraising Managers
- State median wage
- $135,870
- Middle 50% wage range
- $106,910–$192,290
- State employment
- 5,430
- Projected growth
- +5.4%
- Annual openings
- 3,700
27-3099Media and Communication Workers, All Other
- State median wage
- $102,630
- Middle 50% wage range
- $63,530–$105,660
- State employment
- 9,940
- Projected growth
- +3.9%
- Annual openings
- 2,000
13-1131Fundraisers
- State median wage
- $79,710
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,360–$101,930
- State employment
- 12,860
- Projected growth
- +5.5%
- Annual openings
- 10,000
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Valley College | Saratoga | $65,280 | Not available |
| 2 | College of San Mateo | San Mateo | $65,120 | Not available |
| 3 | Evergreen Valley College | San Jose | $63,835 | Not available |
| 4 | Skyline College | San Bruno | $61,426 | Not available |
| 5 | San Diego City College | San Diego | $60,716 | Not available |
| 6 | San Diego Mesa College | San Diego | $56,321 | Not available |
| 7 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | $53,829 | Not available |
| 8 | De Anza College | Cupertino | $53,738 | Not available |
| 9 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita | $49,940 | Not available |
| 10 | Gavilan College | Gilroy | $49,070 | Not available |
| 11 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana | $47,880 | Not available |
| 12 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert | $47,357 | Not available |
| 13 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento | $45,735 | Not available |
| 14 | Pasadena City College | Pasadena | $45,235 | Not available |
| 15 | Mt San Antonio College | Walnut | $44,550 | Not available |
| 16 | Riverside City College | Riverside | $44,269 | Not available |
| 17 | Modesto Junior College | Modesto | $40,635 | Not available |
| 18 | Butte College | Oroville | $39,968 | Not available |
| 19 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill | $39,912 | Not available |
| 20 | Southwestern College | Chula Vista | $37,303 | Not available |
| 21 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach | $36,632 | Not available |
| 22 | Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster | $36,358 | Not available |
| 23 | College of the Sequoias | Visalia | $34,551 | Not available |
| 24 | Santa Monica College | Santa Monica | $29,371 | Not available |
| 25 | Glendale Community College | Glendale | $28,646 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Communication and Media Studies in California
What do Communication and Media Studies associate's degree graduates earn in California?
Across 25 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $45,735 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.
Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. West Valley College has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.