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SAME FIELD · SAME CREDENTIAL · ONE STATE

Communication and Media Studies master's degree programs in California

Compare 6 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

6Programs reporting earnings

$63,474Median year-4 earnings

Not availableMedian federal debt

0Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Debt not reported$91,873 2San Diego State UniversitySan Diego · Debt not reported$84,280 3California State University, FullertonFullerton · Debt not reported$66,353 4National UniversitySan Diego · Debt not reported$63,474 5California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge · Debt not reported$60,784 6California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Debt not reported$60,235

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

10th–90th percentile: $97,800–$300,800

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

10th–90th percentile: $78,660–$218,880

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

10th–90th percentile: $56,730–$193,080

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

10th–90th percentile: $52,510–$173,590

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

10th–90th percentile: $49,550–$160,520

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

10th–90th percentile: $84,730–$257,500

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

10th–90th percentile: $44,140–$170,410

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

10th–90th percentile: $50,340–$131,720

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	University of Southern California	Los Angeles	$91,873	Not available
2	San Diego State University	San Diego	$84,280	Not available
3	California State University, Fullerton	Fullerton	$66,353	Not available
4	National University	San Diego	$63,474	Not available
5	California State University, Northridge	Northridge	$60,784	Not available
6	California State University, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	$60,235	Not available

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Communication and Media Studies in California

What do Communication and Media Studies master's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 6 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $63,474 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. University of Southern California has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.