Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.
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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.
Our analysis ranked American University the best school in the country for a degree in communication & media studies. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 81 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from American University earn around $52,640 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,611.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at American University
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 22 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from George Washington University earn around $50,552 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for George Washington University
Catholic University Of America came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $43,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Catholic University Of America
Gallaudet University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gallaudet University awarded about 11 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Gallaudet University generally make around $25,747. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Gallaudet University
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 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.
