What can you do with a Communication degree from California State University-Sacramento?

First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from California State University-Sacramento we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 40 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Communication graduates from California State University-Sacramento have a lower likelihood (-6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 61%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 12% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Communication graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Communication graduate from California State University-Sacramento and our analysis:


Relevance score: 28%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from California State University-Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Book Shelver
Sacramento Public Library
Mar 2012 - Jul 2012
The role of Book Shelver does not utilize communication-specific skills or knowledge, focusing instead on organizing and shelving books, which is unrelated to the degree.

Library Services Assistant
Sacramento Public Library
Jul 2012 - Dec 2012
As a Library Services Assistant, while there may be some use of communication skills, the core qualifications do not require specific communication knowledge, making it marginally relevant at best.

Book Shelver
Sacramento Public Library
Jan 2013 - Jul 2013
Similar to job #0, the role of Book Shelver is focused on logistical tasks and does not engage the specific skills taught in a communication program.

Tier 1 Mac Technical Advisor (with Volt)
Apple
Jul 2013 - Jun 2014
The position as a Tier 1 Mac Technical Advisor involves customer interaction and problem-solving, potentially leveraging some communication skills, but does not require specific knowledge of communication theory.

Tier 1 Mac Technical Advisor
Apple
Jun 2014 - Dec 2014
As a Tier 1 Mac Technical Advisor, the job utilizes interpersonal communication in a technical context, yet lacks a strong connection to communication studies' core qualifications.

Tier 1 Wireless Multimedia Advisor
Apple
Dec 2014 - Feb 2015
The role of Tier 1 Wireless Multimedia Advisor includes significant customer interaction that employs basic communication skills, but it is not fundamentally about communication as taught in the degree.

Tier 2 Mac+ Advisor
Apple
Feb 2015 - Sep 2017
The Tier 2 Mac+ Advisor position requires communication for technical support, which is somewhat related to the degree, but is primarily technical rather than communication-focused.

Document Processing Supervisor
MAXIMUS
Sep 2017 - Oct 2018
The Document Processing Supervisor role does not leverage communication-specific skills, focusing more on processing and supervisory tasks outside the realm of communication studies.

Music Teacher
Music Teachers
Jan 2020 - Jan 2021
As a Music Teacher, the job directly employs communication skills to instruct and engage students, making it relevant to the communication degree.

Technology Coordinator
SACRAMENTO GUITAR SOCIETY
Aug 2019 - Jul 2020
The Technology Coordinator position may involve some communication-related tasks but primarily focuses on technology management, which is only loosely connected to the communication degree.

President
SACRAMENTO GUITAR SOCIETY
Jul 2020 - Jun 2022
As President of the Sacramento Guitar Society, the role involves leadership and communication elements, but it is not a direct application of formal communication training.

Quality Assurance Engineer
All Weather, Inc. (AWI)
Feb 2019 - Present
The Quality Assurance Engineer position requires technical skills that do not align with the specific skills or knowledge gained from a degree in communication, making it irrelevant.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Communication degree from California State University-Sacramento?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the job profiles of those who have graduated with a Communication degree from California State University-Sacramento, a few patterns emerge. A significant number of graduates have found roles in customer service, administrative positions, and management, often in companies like Apple, The Hartford, and various hospitals. Many of these jobs involve some degree of communication skills, particularly in customer interactions or internal team management. However, a considerable portion of these roles, like those related to claims adjustment or administrative support, don’t seem to fully tap into the specific knowledge and expertise that a communication degree would typically provide. In these cases, the connection to their education feels a bit tenuous.

Interestingly, there are also graduates who have gone on to positions that directly apply their communication training, such as Communications Managers, Public Relations Specialists, and roles in marketing and media. These positions clearly leverage the skills learned in their degree programs and showcase a solid fit between education and career path. That said, across the board, it seems like while some graduates are using their communication skills in relevant fields, a good chunk are settling into jobs where the link to their degree isn’t as strong. So, overall, it’s a mix of related and less relevant roles for these graduates, which can be pretty common in any field of study when it comes to real-world application.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Communication graduates (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Sacramento):

What kind of career trajectories do Communication graduates from California State University-Sacramento have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The graduates from California State University-Sacramento with a Communication degree seem to have taken a mix of paths after finishing school, but there are definitely trends to note. For many, their first jobs after graduation often center around entry-level positions in customer service, administrative roles, or internships that align somewhat with their communication skills. Jobs like being an Executive Assistant, Customer Experience Manager, or various roles at tech companies like Apple pop up frequently for those who graduated around 2010-2019. This indicates a strong start where many graduates find opportunities in fields that utilize their communication skills, at least to some extent.

Fast forward five to ten years later, and the trajectory shows a bit more divergence. Some individuals stick closely to roles related directly to their field of study, such as communications or marketing positions. A few have climbed into managerial roles in PR, marketing, and even project management, which seems promising for those passionate about communication-related careers. However, there are also graduates who don't seem to remain in communication-centric roles—like those who shifted into HR, tech, or even completely different fields like sports management and healthcare. This suggests that while a degree in Communication can provide a solid foundation, some alumni might venture off into roles that don’t align directly with their studies, indicating that the degree opens many doors, but not all of them lead back to communication. Overall, the variety in career trajectories reflects both successes in relevant fields and diversions into different areas, leading to mixed outcomes for these grads.

How hard is a Communication degree from California State University-Sacramento?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at California State University-Sacramento is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but it still has its challenges. You’ll dive into a mix of theory, writing, and practical skills, which means you’ll need to keep up with reading, writing assignments, and presentations. The coursework can be fun and interesting, especially if you enjoy talking about media, culture, and how we connect with each other, but you still have to put in the effort to really grasp the concepts and get good grades. Overall, if you stay organized and engaged, you’ll probably find it manageable, but don’t underestimate the workload!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.

Do Communication graduates from California State University-Sacramento tend to make good money?

Looking at all these Communication grads from CSU-Sacramento, it seems like they've had a mixed bag when it comes to making money. Some have found stable positions with decent growth, like those in HR or planning roles, and even a few in marketing who seem to be climbing the ladder pretty fast. But others have bounced around a lot or started in lower-paying jobs like part-time positions in libraries or as food servers, which probably didn't pay much. Overall, a lot of them are still figuring things out early in their careers, so it might take a bit longer for some to hit those good paychecks. But hey, with all the experience they’re gaining, there's definitely potential for better earnings down the line!

What buzzwords do Communication graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Communication (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Sacramento). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Communication?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Communication (ordered by the average relevance score of their Communication graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
New York University 82 14
Western Carolina University 81 10
Boston University 80 15
University of Florida 78 15
La Salle University 77 10
Moody Bible Institute 77 11
Virginia Commonwealth University 76 16
University of Wisconsin-Madison 75 22
Longwood University 75 10
University of Southern California 74 37
Utah Valley University 74 18
Wichita State University 74 10
Louisiana State University 73 40
Queens College 73 17
Gonzaga University 73 10
Penn State University 72 62
Southern New Hampshire University 72 25
Auburn University 72 34
Brigham Young University 71 25
University of Missouri-Columbia 71 29
Georgia Southern University 71 12
University of Alabama at Birmingham 71 10
Southeastern Louisiana University 71 14
Pace University 71 20
Florida International University 70 38
The University of Alabama 70 12
Northeastern University 70 19
California State University-Northridge 70 22
The University of Memphis 70 10
University of California, San Diego 70 11
University of Hawaii at Manoa 70 15
UC San Diego 70 13
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 70 14
Stockton University 70 16
Biola University 70 12
The University of Texas at Austin 69 18
University of California, Berkeley 69 22
Cornell University 69 13
Missouri State University 69 11
Southern Connecticut State University 69 16
Salisbury University 69 14
University of Denver 69 14
Worcester State University 69 18
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College 69 10
Florida State University 68 46
Purdue University 68 13
University of North Texas 68 15
The University of Georgia 68 11
University of Arkansas 68 39
Azusa Pacific University 68 15
Santa Clara University 68 11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 67 16
George Mason University 67 17
University of Maryland 67 19
University of Maine 67 11
Loyola Marymount University 67 20
Tulane University 67 11
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 67 10
University of Arizona 66 28
Central Michigan University 66 18
California State University, Northridge 66 44
University of Virginia 66 14
University of Utah 66 29
Northern Illinois University 66 12
University of San Diego 66 23
Texas A&M University 65 56
University of Houston 65 18
DePaul University 65 15
California State University-Fullerton 65 18
University of California, Santa Barbara 65 26
University at Albany, SUNY 65 17
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 65 11
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 65 14
Eastern Illinois University 65 15
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 65 12
Valdosta State University 65 18
Marymount Manhattan College 65 11
James Madison University 64 31
California State University, Fullerton 64 39
University of Kentucky 64 29
Appalachian State University 64 24
University of Massachusetts Amherst 64 22
Wake Forest University 64 12
University of South Florida 63 74
Towson University 63 39
East Carolina University 63 27
Clemson University 63 17
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 63 35
University of Connecticut 63 30
Sam Houston State University 63 33
Baylor University 63 12
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 63 11
California State University-San Bernardino 63 19
Utah State University 63 11
Fordham University 63 22
University of Tennessee-Knoxville 63 14
University of North Carolina Wilmington 63 13
State University of New York College at Cortland 63 11
University of Montevallo 63 10
Brigham Young University - Idaho 62 29
The University of Texas at San Antonio 62 29
Bowling Green State University 62 20
University of Rhode Island 62 38
San Diego State University-California State University 62 13
Western Kentucky University 62 10
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 62 23
Coastal Carolina University 62 25
The College of New Jersey 62 12
Radford University 62 20
Hunter College 62 11
University of Illinois Springfield 62 11
Texas State University 61 35
Grand Canyon University 61 26
University of Colorado Boulder 61 29
California State University-Sacramento 61 40
University of Pittsburgh 61 22
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 61 30
Northwestern University 61 14
St. Cloud State University 61 19
University of West Georgia 61 21
Saint Joseph's University 61 12
University of Houston-Clear Lake 61 10
Arizona State University 60 123
North Carolina State University 60 24
Ohio University 60 56
University of Oklahoma 60 24
University of Maryland College Park 60 25
UC Santa Barbara 60 37
California State University, Fresno 60 17
California State University-Los Angeles 60 11
Curry College 60 12
University of Washington 59 67
University of California, Los Angeles 59 32
University of Michigan 59 20
Florida Atlantic University 59 25
University of Delaware 59 17
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 59 25
Boston College 59 16
California State University San Marcos 59 36
The University of New Mexico 59 13
Wright State University 59 15
University of Northern Iowa 59 10
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 59 20
Fairfield University 59 10
Wittenberg University 59 10
Texas A&M International University 59 10
University of Central Florida 58 49
University of Cincinnati 58 46
Kennesaw State University 58 25
Portland State University 58 17
California State University, Long Beach 58 30
California State University, Chico 58 16
Saint Louis University 58 11
University of San Francisco 58 15
Christopher Newport University 58 22
Temple University 57 42
Illinois State University 57 25
Northern Arizona University 57 12
Eastern Michigan University 57 20
Rutgers University 57 12
Boise State University 57 31
University of Louisville 57 30
Florida Gulf Coast University 57 25
Texas Christian University 57 15
Cleveland State University 57 13
East Tennessee State University 57 14
Bridgewater State University 57 24
Bowie State University 57 14
Michigan State University 56 45
Old Dominion University 56 30
St. John's University 56 14
Villanova University 56 16
Southeast Missouri State University 56 11
Tennessee State University 56 12
University of Phoenix 55 32
Liberty University 55 16
San Jose State University 55 47
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 55 27
University of North Florida 55 23
University of New Hampshire 55 21
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) 55 11
Stephen F. Austin State University 55 13
Northern Kentucky University 55 15
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 55 13
California State University-Dominguez Hills 55 13
Sonoma State University 55 18
Prairie View A&M University 55 13
Indiana University Bloomington 54 10
Texas Tech University 54 21
Iowa State University 54 13
Kent State University 54 25
Washington State University 54 11
College of Charleston 54 37
Indiana University of Pennsylvania 54 13
University of Colorado Denver 54 13
Virginia State University 54 13
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 53 30
Western Washington University 53 30
University at Buffalo 53 31
Eastern Kentucky University 53 11
Millersville University of Pennsylvania 53 12
Winston-Salem State University 53 11
State University of New York College at Oneonta 53 10
San Diego State University 52 29
University of Iowa 52 33
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 52 29
University of Mississippi 52 10
Oakland University 52 37
Wayne State University 52 13
University of Maryland University College 52 11
Minnesota State University, Mankato 52 23
Southern Utah University 52 10
San Francisco State University 51 59
California State University-Long Beach 51 33
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 51 12
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 51 29
Kean University 51 22
Eastern Connecticut State University 51 19
University of California, Davis 50 28
University of North Carolina at Wilmington 50 16
University of Missouri-Saint Louis 50 17
Western Illinois University 49 13
The Ohio State University 48 18
The University of Akron 48 10
University of Maryland Baltimore County 48 11
University of Tampa 48 21
University of Washington Tacoma 48 10
Clark Atlanta University 48 15
Colorado State University 47 30
West Virginia University 47 19
Delaware State University 47 12
State University of New York at Fredonia 45 10
University of Colorado Colorado Springs 44 13
Rowan University 43 19
SUNY Oneonta 43 19
Grand Valley State University 42 16
Mississippi State University 42 10
Southern Oregon University 30 10