Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
14
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$137,181
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$11,569
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Saddleback College
Grad rate: 44.4% |
+$162,456 | $51,302 | $11,792 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Moorpark College
Grad rate: 40.2% |
+$108,750 | $48,406 | $9,685 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Santa Rosa Junior College
Grad rate: 32.2% |
-$24,998 | $42,115 | $13,649 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Orange Coast College
Grad rate: 45.2% |
-$68,342 | $39,902 | $13,191 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Cerritos College
Grad rate: 29.1% |
-$74,878 | $39,097 | $8,409 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Santa Monica College
Grad rate: 34.0% |
-$80,926 | $39,089 | $11,353 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Citrus College
Grad rate: 42.8% |
-$108,764 | $37,803 | $12,412 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Golden West College
Grad rate: 43.2% |
-$110,512 | $37,695 | $12,206 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
College of the Canyons
Grad rate: 43.4% |
-$165,626 | $34,743 | $10,243 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Fresno City College
Grad rate: 25.8% |
-$274,646 | $29,474 | $12,063 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Mt San Antonio College
Grad rate: 39.6% |
-$280,414 | $29,187 | $12,077 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Ventura College
Grad rate: 40.8% |
-$306,104 | $27,671 | $9,762 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
San Diego Mesa College
Grad rate: 33.8% |
-$312,928 | $27,650 | $12,964 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Pasadena City College
Grad rate: 41.1% |
-$383,612 | $24,036 | $12,166 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees by State
Browse Communication and Media Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.