What can you do with a Communication degree from University of California, Davis?

First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from University of California, Davis 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 28 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Communication graduates from University of California, Davis have a much lower likelihood (-17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 50%
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 28% 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 University of California, Davis and our analysis:


Relevance score: 51%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor's degree in Communication. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Community Assistant (Leasing/ Marketing)
Greystar
Jan 2016 - Jan 2017
The position as a Community Assistant in Leasing/Marketing directly involves communication and marketing skills, which are core components of a Communication degree.

Leasing and Marketing Professional
Greystar
Jan 2017 - Jan 2018
As a Leasing and Marketing Professional, the job requires strong communication skills and the ability to promote properties, aligning well with the knowledge gained from a Communication degree.

Researcher
CBRE
Jan 2018 - Aug 2019
The role of a Researcher at CBRE may utilize communication skills to some extent but primarily focuses on research methods and analytics, which are not core to a Communication degree.

Employee
CBRE
Aug 2019 - May 2021
An Employee at CBRE likely involves various tasks that do not specifically leverage skills related to communication, making it irrelevant to the degree.

Associate
CBRE
May 2021 - Present
As an Associate at CBRE, communication skills may still be helpful, but the position is more focused on research and analysis rather than core communication principles taught in the degree program.

ABOUT

UC Davis alumni with a demonstrated history of reliability and hard work. Currently an Associate at CBRE, where we provide clients the best-in-class advisory services for the most complex transactions, with an emphasis on strategic real estate planning.

What jobs can you get with a Communication degree from University of California, Davis?

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


Based on the analysis of job profiles from graduates of the Communication degree at the University of California, Davis, it seems that many have ended up in positions that don’t directly leverage the core principles and skills associated with their degree. A significant number of graduates have taken roles in areas like real estate, banking, and even technical support, which primarily focus on sales, management, or specialized technical knowledge rather than communication expertise. This trend is particularly evident in positions like Area Manager, Realtor, and Small Business Banker, where although some communication skills are beneficial, the core functions of the jobs don’t relate to communication theory or practice.

On the flip side, there are notable exceptions where graduates utilized their Communication degree effectively. Positions such as Content Marketing Coordinator and Social Media Manager align closely with the skills gained through their studies, emphasizing strategy and audience engagement. Additionally, roles involving education, like School Counselor and Instructor, also highlight the relevance of communication skills in working directly with people. Overall, while there are many instances of graduates in roles where their Communication degree isn’t fully relevant, there are equally many where they've successfully applied their skills to enhance their careers in communication-centered fields. It’s a mixed bag, but it’s clear that some find ways to make their education work for them in various industries.

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 University of California, Davis):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of Communication graduates from UC Davis, it seems like there’s a mixed bag of paths that people have taken after graduation. For many, the first job right after college tends to be an entry-level position that's not always directly related to communication, like administrative roles or support positions. For instance, we see some graduates starting off as beertenders or graphic designers, which might not seem like a perfect fit for their degree, but these roles often help them build essential skills in customer service, teamwork, and creative thinking.

Fast forward five to ten years, though, and we see that many have carved out stronger careers with more relevance to their major. Some have made their way into marketing, project coordination, or even roles as school counselors or executive search directors—jobs that definitely rely on solid communication skills. While not every graduate ends up in a communication-specific role, a good number do find their footing in fields where their degree helps them stand out. So, while the early job hunt may feel a bit haphazard for some, down the line, a lot of these graduates seem to find their niche and build successful careers that capitalize on their communication background. It's a journey, and sometimes those winding roads lead to really interesting places!

How hard is a Communication degree from University of California, Davis?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at UC Davis, or really anywhere, can be a mixed bag. It’s not notoriously hard like some engineering or science majors, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park either. You'll get to dive into interesting stuff like media studies, public speaking, and even some theory, which can be super engaging. If you enjoy writing, analyzing, and talking about ideas, you might find it pretty manageable. But don’t underestimate it; there are still projects and exams that can challenge you. Overall, I’d say it's around average in terms of difficulty—definitely requires effort, but if you're passionate, it can be a fun experience!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.

Do Communication graduates from University of California, Davis tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Communication graduates from UC Davis, it seems like some have landed solid gigs while others are still figuring things out. For instance, the Area Manager at Southern Wine and Spirits and the structural designers in architectural firms likely pulled in decent salaries given those positions’ reputations. On the flip side, positions like Beertender or various entry-level roles suggest that some might be earning a bit less, especially early on. It’s a mixed bag overall—some folks might be making good money and climbing the ladder, while others are probably still trying to establish themselves in their careers. So, it really depends on how each person's journey unfolds!

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 University of California, Davis). 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