Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 22 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Saint Cloud State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 20 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $40,279. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Saint Cloud State University
Winona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $38,197 in their early career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Winona State University
Washburn University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,932. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Washburn University
University Of Mary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Mary awarded about 16 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $65,565 in their early career. University Of Mary graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans.
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University Of South Dakota landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,792 in their early career. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Loras College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Loras College graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Loras College earn around $36,821 in the first couple years of their career. Loras College graduates carry a median of $25,166 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Loras College
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #8 position for communication & media studies this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 14 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Sioux Falls in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $46,956 early in their careers. University Of Sioux Falls graduates carry a median of $26,103 in student loans.
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Wayne State College earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Wayne State College awarded about 10 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,325.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Wayne State College
Lindenwood University earned the #10 position for communication & media studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Charles. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Lindenwood University earn around $50,346 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Lindenwood University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 13 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Wartburg College came in at #12 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Wartburg College awarded about 13 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,255 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Wartburg College
Webster University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Webster University awarded about 17 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Webster University earn around $55,445 in the first couple years of their career. Webster University graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Webster University
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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 · 13 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.
