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2023 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in California

67 Ranked Colleges
7,630 Degrees Awarded
$36,243 Avg Salary
Schools for a Bachelor's Highly Focused on Communications Major in California

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 13,181 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,861 and $20,384 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 7,630 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,566 and $21,995 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California” ranking looked at 67 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. That schools that top this list have a program in communication and media studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California”.

Top 25 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend John Paul the Great Catholic University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Escondido, California. It awarded 55 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at JPCatholic

2
Westmont crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Westmont College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California. Westmont College is a small school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 29 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Westmont College Communication & Media Studies Report

3
San Diego Christian crest
San Diego Christian College
Santee, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego Christian College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. San Diego Christian College is a small school located in Santee, California that handed out 11 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full San Diego Christian College Communication & Media Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Channel Islands. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California. California State University - Channel Islands is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 146 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Channel Islands

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 754 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cal State Fullerton

6

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 462 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

7
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, California

Life Pacific College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. LIFE Bible College is a small school located in San Dimas, California that handed out 8 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Life Pacific College Communication & Media Studies Report

8
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Pitzer Communication & Media Studies Report

9

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking, coming in at #9. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 488 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Sac State

10

California State University - San Marcos came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 231 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSM Communication & Media Studies Report

11
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California

Holy Names University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. Holy Names University is a small school located in Oakland, California that handed out 14 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at HNU

12
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

With a ranking of #12, Santa Clara University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. SCU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clara, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 142 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full SCU Communication & Media Studies Report

13
Scripps crest
Scripps College
Claremont, California

Scripps College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. Scripps College is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 16 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Scripps

14

With a ranking of #14, Vanguard University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. Vanguard University of Southern California is a small school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 29 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Vanguard Communication & Media Studies Report

15
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 138 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Loyola Marymount

16
CLU crest
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

With a ranking of #16, California Lutheran University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Thousand Oaks, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California Lutheran University Communication & Media Studies Report

17
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. Pomona is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Pomona College

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #18, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 337 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at San Francisco State University

19
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 87 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Sonoma State University

20
Simpson U crest
Simpson University
Redding, California

Simpson University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. This small school is located in Redding, California, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Simpson University

21

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 109 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Communication & Media Studies Report

22
NDNU crest
Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, California

With a ranking of #22, Notre Dame de Namur University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California list. Notre Dame de Namur University is located in Belmont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Notre Dame de Namur University

23
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

Chapman University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. Chapman is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 101 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Chapman University

24

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking, coming in at #24. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 377 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full CSULB Communication & Media Studies Report

25

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Communications Major in California ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 156 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - San Bernardino

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