Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 174 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.
Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School
The communication & media studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each 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.
Communication & Media Studies Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for communication & media studies. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 409 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,991 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for communication & media studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 278 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $43,696 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 106 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $47,368 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,230 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 39 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $37,808 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Arizona came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 12 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $42,993. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Arizona
University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 321 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Florida earn around $58,996 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Florida
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $56,395 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
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San Diego State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $44,130 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,675.
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Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 491 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $36,700 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #10 among the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 52 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $39,738 early in their careers. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Colorado Boulder
Elon University earned the #11 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. Elon University awarded about 11 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Elon University earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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The University Of Tennessee landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 113 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $41,258 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University Of Tennessee
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 73 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full communication & media studies program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
American University came in at #14 for communication & media studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. American University awarded about 78 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $52,640. Students borrow a median of $22,611 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for American University
Illinois State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 47 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $41,670 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Illinois State University
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
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Marist College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marist College awarded about 34 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Marist College earn a median of $41,818 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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University Of San Francisco landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 32 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $39,000 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 79 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,638. Typical student debt for the program is $16,433.
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University Of Oregon came in at #20 for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Oregon awarded about 29 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $33,165. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University came in at #21 for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 21 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $35,929. Students borrow a median of $20,675 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Auburn University
Claremont Mckenna College came in at #22 for communication & media studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Claremont Mckenna College earn around $66,028 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Miami University Oxford earned the #23 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $34,959 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Miami University Oxford
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $46,747. Typical student debt for the program is $22,530.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Brigham Young University Provo
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #25 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 159 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $39,051. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for communication & media studies this year:
Communication & Media Studies Related Rankings by Major
Communication & Media Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 174 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
