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2027 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

56 Colleges in the United States
3,156 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$33,431 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & media studies education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

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

4

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Elon University

5

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. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University Of Tennessee

6

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Georgia

7
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Auburn University

8

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

9

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

10

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Florida International University

11

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Virginia Commonwealth University

12

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

13

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. See the full communication & media studies program report for Emory And Henry College

14

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at The University Of West Florida

15

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Middle Tennessee State University

16

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

17

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Southeastern University

18

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Xavier University Of Louisiana

19

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for East Tennessee State University

20
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Berea College

21
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

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. See the full communication & media studies program report for Mcneese State University

22
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

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. Get the full communication & media studies details for Bridgewater College

23

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. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Florida State College At Jacksonville

24
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

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. See the full communication & media studies program report for Lynn University

25

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. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of North Carolina At Asheville

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & media studies education:

26
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
27
28
29
30
31
32
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC
33
University Of The Ozarks crest
University Of The Ozarks
Clarksville, AR
34
35
36
37
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Lane College crest
Lane College
Jackson, TN
46
Claflin University crest
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC
47
Alcorn State University crest
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS
48
49
50
Bethune Cookman University crest
Bethune Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL

View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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