Communication & Media Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & media studies education in Tennessee.
The University Of Tennessee tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $41,258 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,875.
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Middle Tennessee State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 74 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $29,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,329 to complete this degree.
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East Tennessee State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #3. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 63 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $33,111. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates 52% of students within six years. About 14 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $26,803 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,481 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Tennessee Martin
University Of Memphis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. University Of Memphis awarded about 73 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $26,922. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $23,381 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Memphis
Austin Peay State University placed #6 among the best communication & media studies schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Austin Peay State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Austin Peay State University awarded about 35 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,582 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Austin Peay State University
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 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.
