Three years of data for the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications regarding enrollment, graduation rates and student retention rates. The information offers a resource for prospective students and families as well as alumni, faculty and staff. The data is part of what the Bellisario College shares with the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications about our program.
Enrollment
| Major | Fall 2025 | Fall 2024 | Fall 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AD/PR | 666 | 567 | 534 |
| Film Production | 124 | 140 | 138 |
| Journalism | 371 | 402 | 409 |
| Media Studies | 96 | 98 | 107 |
| Telecommunications | 355 | 396 | 366 |
| Comm (Pre-majors) | 1,046 | 1,054 | 1,003 |
| Digital Journ/Media (WC) | 83 | 71 | 72 |
| Strat Comm (WC) | 49 | 45 | 46 |
| Total | 2,790 | 2,772 | 2,675 |
*WC: Digital Journalism/Media and Strategic Communications degrees are offered only online via the World Campus.
Graduation Rates
Compared to overall Penn State University Park rates
| Four Year | Five Year | Six Year | ||||
| Entering Class | PSU | Comm | PSU | Comm | PSU | Comm |
| 2021 | 72.1% | 84.7% | ||||
| 2020 | 73.0% | 84.3% | 84.6% | 89.5% | ||
| 2019 | 70.7% | 77.4% | 83.2% | 86.2% | 85.4% | 87.4% |
| 2018 | 70.6% | 83.6% | 83.8% | 89.4% | 86.0% | 89.6% |
| 2017 | 70.3% | 83.1% | 83.6% | 90.4% | 85.6% | 91.0% |
Student Retention Rates
Compared to overall Penn State University Park rates
| First Year | Second Year | Third Year | ||||
| Entering Class | PSU | Comm | PSU | Comm | PSU | Comm |
| 2024 | 92.3% | 92.0% | ||||
| 2023 | 92.6% | 95.0% | 90.1% | 93.8% | ||
| 2022 | 92.0% | 94.2% | 89.3% | 91.6% | 85.1% | 87.1% |
| 2021 | 91.0% | 93.6% | 88.1% | 92.1% | 85.2% | 88.3% |
| 2020 | 93.1% | 94.9% | 89.4% | 92.8% | 86.5% | 89.2% |
