Communication & Media Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 106 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
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.
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 school for communication & media studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 220 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $50,556 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 246 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,776. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 238 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Northwestern University came in at #4 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. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Northwestern University earn around $69,611 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,112 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Northwestern University
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #5. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 452 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $41,232 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Ohio State University Main Campus
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #6 for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 491 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $36,700 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 326 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $37,286. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Dayton came in at #8 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 163 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $42,629 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Dayton
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 81 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $38,912 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Illinois At Chicago
Illinois State University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 154 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $41,670 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Illinois State University
Miami University Oxford earned the #11 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $34,959 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Miami University Oxford
Denison University landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Denison University awarded about 50 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Denison University earn around $47,396 in the first couple years of their career. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Denison University
Michigan State University earned the #13 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 309 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,390. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Michigan State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #14 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 207 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $39,953 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,869.
Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $40,293. Students borrow a median of $24,455 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Marquette University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 28 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Marquette University earn around $36,443 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,531 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Marquette University
Taylor University earned the #17 position for communication & media studies this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Taylor University awarded about 10 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $45,090 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Taylor University
Depaul University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 137 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,421 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,916.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Depaul University
Depauw University came in at #19 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Depauw University awarded about 65 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,141 in their early career. Depauw University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Depauw University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #20 among the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 34 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,333 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,730.
Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Wabash College landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies this year. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. Wabash College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 15 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Wabash College in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Wabash College earn around $40,138 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Wabash College
Ohio University Main Campus placed #22 among the best communication & media studies schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 306 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,666 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,063 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Ohio University Main Campus
John Carroll University landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. John Carroll University awarded about 36 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from John Carroll University earn around $41,072 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full communication & media studies program report for John Carroll University
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 26 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Evansville earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 12 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Evansville in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Evansville
These schools also placed among the best for communication & media studies this year:
Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 106 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.
