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2027 Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

651 Colleges in the United States
34,994 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,527 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 651 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the United States

Below are the best communication & media studies schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best school in the country for a degree in communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 504 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #2. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 202 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Boston College earn around $55,162 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Boston College

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for communication & media studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 278 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $43,696. Students borrow a median of $11,180 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of California Berkeley

4

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 225 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 216 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,376. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

Southern Methodist University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 35 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Southern Methodist University

7

University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 265 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,569 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of California Davis

8
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 72 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,022 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,637. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Pennsylvania

9
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #9 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Stanford University earn around $69,670 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Stanford University

10

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 112 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $47,368. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,230 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

11

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 618 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $46,598 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,018. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of California Santa Barbara

12
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 138 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Wake Forest University earn around $42,055 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Wake Forest University

13

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 171 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

14

University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 263 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Maryland College Park

15
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #15 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 290 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,502. See the full communication & media studies program report for James Madison University

16

University Of Southern California landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 421 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Southern California earn around $47,651 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Southern California

17

George Mason University came in at #17 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 118 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from George Mason University

18

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 308 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. Students borrow a median of $20,613 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

19

Cornell University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 69 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $62,182 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,418. Get the full communication & media studies details for Cornell University

20

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #20 for communication & media studies this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 465 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $43,295 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,782 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Texas A And M University College Station

21
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 141 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $41,409 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Purdue University Main Campus

22

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #22 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 208 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $44,078 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Missouri Columbia

23

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #23 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 225 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $37,808 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

24

Northwestern University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 71 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $52,210 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,112. Get the full communication & media studies details for Northwestern University

25

Chapman University earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 101 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $44,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full communication & media studies program report for Chapman University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
37
38
39
40
41
42
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
43
44
45
46
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
47
48
49
50
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

Additional Communication & Media Studies Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for communication & media studies:

Rank School Location
#51 University Of Dayton Dayton, OH
#52 Boston University Boston, MA
#53 The College Of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
#54 California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#55 Illinois State University Normal, IL
#56 North Carolina State University At Raleigh Raleigh, NC
#57 The University Of Tennessee Knoxville, TN
#58 University Of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
#59 George Washington University Washington, DC
#60 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
#61 University Of Illinois At Chicago Chicago, IL
#62 University Of Georgia Athens, GA
#63 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
#64 University Of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
#65 California State University Fullerton Fullerton, CA
#66 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
#67 University Of California San Diego La Jolla, CA
#68 University Of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
#69 University Of New Hampshire Main Campus Durham, NH
#70 University Of Washington Bothell Campus Bothell, WA
#71 High Point University High Point, NC
#72 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
#73 Cuny Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY
#74 Cuny Graduate School And University Center New York, NY
#75 University Of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR

Honorable Mentions

A few more communication & media studies schools worth a look:

Other Communication & Media Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Communication & Media Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Communication & Media Studies
Associate's Degrees in Communication & Media Studies
Master's Degrees in Communication & Media Studies

View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 651 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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