2026 Best Communications Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

Leading the list is University Of California Davis, our #1 school for communications. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 258 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of California Davis earn around $42,569 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 232 communications degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $63,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. More information about a degree in communications from University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communications, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 597 communications degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Communications graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $46,598 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Students looking for a strong communications program will find one at Pepperdine University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 communications students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $48,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,667. Get the full communications details for Pepperdine University

5

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 228 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $33,046 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $14,568 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from University Of California San Diego

6

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California landed the #6 spot for communications this year. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 communications degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $35,356 in their early career. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at Saint Marys College Of California

7

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #7 for communications this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 communications students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Vanguard University Of Southern California

8

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 73 communications degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Communications graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $40,776 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from University Of San Diego

9

Saint Martins University
Lacey, WA

Saint Martins University came in at #9 for communications this year. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. Saint Martins University awarded about 13 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Saint Martins University earn around $60,864 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Martins University graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from Saint Martins University

10

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University landed the #10 spot for communications this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. Central Washington University awarded about 21 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $35,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,572 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Central Washington University

11

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific earned the #11 position for communications this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of The Pacific awarded about 16 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $28,292 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,485 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for University Of The Pacific

12

National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #12 for communications this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 communications degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from National University generally make around $55,730. Typical student debt for the program is $30,426. Read more about the communications program at National University

13

John Paul The Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA

John Paul The Great Catholic University placed #13 among the best communications schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Escondido. About 64% of students finish within six years. John Paul The Great Catholic University awarded about 53 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of John Paul The Great Catholic University earn a median of $27,221 early in their careers. John Paul The Great Catholic University graduates carry a median of $26,925 in student loans. See the full communications program report for John Paul The Great Catholic University

14

Nevada State College
Henderson, NV

Nevada State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 communications students who graduated with this degree at Nevada State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Nevada State College generally make around $52,519. Students borrow a median of $25,892 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Nevada State College

15

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine earned the #15 position for communications this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 10 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Concordia University Irvine earn around $36,162 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full communications program report for Concordia University Irvine

16

Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA

Los Angeles Valley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. There were roughly 30 communications students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $81,600 in their early career. Los Angeles Valley College graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Los Angeles Valley College

17

The Masters College And Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

The Masters College And Seminary placed #17 among the best communications schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 communications degrees were awarded at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent year. Communications graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $29,015 early in their careers. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at The Masters College And Seminary

18

Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, CA

Los Angeles Film School placed #18 among the best communications schools. Set in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Los Angeles Film School awarded about 12 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Los Angeles Film School earn around $20,708 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $33,310 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for Los Angeles Film School