Health Communication
A program that focuses on how people, individually and collectively, understand and accommodate to health and illness and the role of communication and media in shaping professional health care messages and public acceptance of these messages. Includes instruction in the development and use of health-related and care-related messages and media; the goals and strategies of health care promotion; relationships, roles, situations, and social structures in the context of health maintenance and promotion; and applications to disease prevention, health advocacy, and communications concerning treatments.
- Schools offering
- 31
- Annual completions
- 118
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $62k
About this major
A program that focuses on how people, individually and collectively, understand and accommodate to health and illness and the role of communication and media in shaping professional health care messages and public acceptance of these messages. Includes instruction in the development and use of health-related and care-related messages and media; the goals and strategies of health care promotion; relationships, roles, situations, and social structures in the context of health maintenance and promotion; and applications to disease prevention, health advocacy, and communications concerning treatments.
Examples of specialized tracks: Health and Health Science Communication.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public relations specialists | $70k | +4.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Health education specialists | $63k | +4.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Community health workers | $51k | +11.3% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Communications teachers, postsecondary | $78k | +2.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$62k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$55k
Bachelor's
$62k
Top colleges for Health Communication
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | 0 | 37 | 37 |
| University of Houston | Houston, TX | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| Miami University-Hamilton | Hamilton, OH | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Otterbein University | Westerville, OH | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa, ID | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Related majors to explore
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
29,295 completions/yr
Public Health, General
10,951 completions/yr
Communication, General
9,537 completions/yr
Health and Wellness, General
4,268 completions/yr
Advertising
3,875 completions/yr
Public Relations/Image Management
3,305 completions/yr
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
2,997 completions/yr
Public Health Education and Promotion
2,520 completions/yr