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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Far Western US Region

221 Ranked Colleges
15,404 Degrees Awarded
$32,700 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

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 the Far Western US region, there were 15,404 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,160 and $21,474 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 221 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their communication and media studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region communications students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Far Western US Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend John Paul the Great Catholic University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region. This small school is located in Escondido, California, and it awarded 55 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full JPCatholic Communication & Media Studies Report

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 Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region. Westmont is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 29 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Westmont College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Bothell Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region. University of Washington - Bothell Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Bothell, Washington. It awarded 153 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 University of Washington - Bothell Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 777 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Cal State Fullerton Communication & Media Studies Report

5
San Diego Christian crest
San Diego Christian College
Santee, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego Christian College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region. San Diego Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santee, California. It awarded 11 ’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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Diego Christian

6

California State University - Channel Islands landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 146 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUCI

7

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 469 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 UCSB

8

University of Hawaii at Hilo landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. UH Hilo is a small public school situated in Hilo, Hawaii. It awarded 46 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UH Hilo

9
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, California

Life Pacific College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Dimas, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Life Pacific College

10

Linfield University - McMinnville Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Linfield is a private not-for-profit institution located in McMinnville, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Linfield University - McMinnville Campus

11

California State University - Sacramento came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 492 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Sac State

12
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

With a ranking of #12, Pitzer College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Pitzer is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. 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.

Full Pitzer College Communication & Media Studies Report

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 231 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

14
Northwest University crest
Northwest University
Kirkland, Washington

With a ranking of #14, Northwest University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Kirkland, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Northwest University Communication & Media Studies Report

15
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California

Holy Names University ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Oakland, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 14 students 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 Holy Names University

16
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Santa Clara University Communication & Media Studies Report

17
CSM crest
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, California

College of San Mateo did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. San Mateo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSM

18
Scripps crest
Scripps College
Claremont, California

With a ranking of #18, Scripps College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Scripps College is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. 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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Scripps College

19

Vanguard University of Southern California came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Vanguard

20
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 138 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. 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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Loyola Marymount University

21
Puget Sound crest
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

University of Puget Sound landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Puget Sound

22
CLU crest
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. Thousand Oaks, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CLU Communication & Media Studies Report

23
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 18 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Pomona College

24

University of Washington - Tacoma Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. University of Washington - Tacoma Campus is a medium-sized school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 92 ’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%.

Full UW Tacoma Communication & Media Studies Report

25
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #25, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 343 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at SFSU

Rest of the Best 34 in Schools Highly Focused on Communications Major in the Far Western US Region

Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California
29
Simpson U crest
Simpson University
Redding, California
30
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California
31
32
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Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, California
33
34
Porterville College crest
Porterville College
Porterville, California

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