Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 56 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & media studies education in the Southeast Region.
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 school for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 409 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill 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. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,230.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 321 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $58,996 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
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Elon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 11 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Elon University earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,875.
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University Of Georgia placed #6 among the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Georgia earn around $38,717 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
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Auburn University came in at #7 for communication & media studies this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $35,929 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $20,675 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 75 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 332 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $43,305 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete this degree.
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Florida International University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 89 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $44,331. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #11 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 222 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $35,808 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 114 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,586 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
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Emory And Henry College came in at #13 for communication & media studies this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Emory And Henry College in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete this degree.
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The University Of West Florida came in at #14 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 78 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $30,850 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best communication & media studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 50 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $29,877. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $24,329 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $30,559. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Southeastern University landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Southeastern University earn around $27,983 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Xavier University Of Louisiana earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Xavier University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Xavier University Of Louisiana earn around $46,854 in the first couple years of their career. Xavier University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $26,777 in student loans.
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East Tennessee State University landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 72 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $33,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Berea College placed #20 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Berea College awarded about 13 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Berea College earn around $30,663 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,801.
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Mcneese State University landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lake Charles. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Mcneese State University awarded about 20 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $25,131 in their early career. Mcneese State University graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans.
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Bridgewater College came in at #22 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Bridgewater College graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $29,477 early in their careers. Bridgewater College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. There were roughly 23 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida State College At Jacksonville in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $43,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete this degree.
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Lynn University earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lynn University awarded about 15 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $46,524 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #25 among the best communication & media studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. About 32 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Asheville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $27,682. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 56 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.