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2024 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools

173 Colleges in the United States
10,266 Media Studies Degrees Awarded
Communication & Media Studies is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #82 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 173 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 10,266 degrees in communication & media studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School

Best Communication & Media Studies Schools Your choice of communication & media studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Communication & Media Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Communication & Media Studies Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Media Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Media Studies
Master's Degrees in Media Studies
Doctor's Degrees in Media Studies

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the media studies degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Media Studies

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WI

It is difficult to beat University of Wisconsin - Madison if you wish to pursue a degree in communication & media studies. UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 8 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NC
446 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a great choice for students interested in a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were about 446 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IL
36 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a good option for students interested in a degree in communication & media studies. UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 36 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
268 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in communication & media studies needs to look into University of California - Berkeley. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 268 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of California - Berkeley

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
320 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were about 320 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Michigan State University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In TX

TCU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Worth. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means TCU is a great university overall.

There were about 22 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at TCU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Texas Christian University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IN
456 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were about 456 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Indiana University - Bloomington

8
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In KS

Located in the city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 47 schools for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were approximately 1 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Kansas

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CO
3.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Boulder, CU - Boulder is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #115 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means CU - Boulder is a great university overall.

There were about 29 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Colorado Boulder

10
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In FL
189 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

UF is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 189 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Florida

11
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In CO

DU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Denver. A Best Colleges rank of #126 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means DU is a great university overall.

There were about 9 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Denver

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In GA

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Georgia

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MN
53.8% Growth in Graduates

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were roughly 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In LA
262 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Louisiana State University is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Baton Rouge. This university ranks 2nd out of 29 colleges for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were about 262 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NV
133 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Las Vegas, UNLV is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nevada.

There were roughly 133 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UNLV in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Nevada - Las Vegas

16
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
100 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 8 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were about 100 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from American University

17
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
51 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 24th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 51 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of San Francisco

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In FL
145 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 145 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of South Florida - Main Campus

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
126 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 126 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Texas Tech University

20
Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In NY
32 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Marist is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. This college ranks 30th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 32 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Marist in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Marist College

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WA
43 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Wazzu is a very large public university located in the distant town of Pullman. This university ranks 4th out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 43 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Wazzu in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Washington State University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AZ
264 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

ASU - Skysong is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale. This university ranks 8th out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were roughly 264 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Skysong in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Arizona State University - Skysong

23
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In NY

Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 12th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 8 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Syracuse University

24
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
129 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. This university ranks 7th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 129 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from DePaul University

25
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
71 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Normal. This university ranks 8th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 71 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Illinois State University

Rest of the Top Best Communication & Media Studies Schools

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Communication & Media Studies students that almost earned our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
27 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
28 Florida International University Miami, FL
29 Denison University Granville, OH
30 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
31 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
32 Belmont University Nashville, TN
33 Elon University Elon, NC
34 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI

Communication & Media Studies by Region

View the Best Communication & Media Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Communication & Media Studies is one of 3 different types of Communication & Media Studies programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Speech Communication 41,146
Communications 12,001
Other Communication & Media Studies 3,374

View All Media Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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College Rankings
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