Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 43 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 University Of Pennsylvania the best school in the country for a degree in communication & media studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 72 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,022 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $15,637 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #2 makes Villanova University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Villanova University awarded about 153 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Villanova University earn around $51,574 in the first couple years of their career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,456 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Villanova University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 73 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 159 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $39,051 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 14 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,307 in student loans.
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University Of Scranton came in at #6 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 14 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Students borrow a median of $26,476 to complete this degree.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 132 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $34,181. Typical student debt for the program is $25,875.
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Saint Josephs University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 55 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $38,024. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans.
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Muhlenberg College landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 30 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Muhlenberg College in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Muhlenberg College earn around $29,950 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
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Temple University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. Temple University awarded about 114 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $34,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,880.
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Grove City College placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grove City. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Grove City College in the most recent data year.
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Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 63 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn around $35,840 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Duquesne University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 17 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $33,275 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete this degree.
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Wilkes University placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wilkes University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $36,271 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 43 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,957. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Delaware County Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. About 26 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Delaware County Community College in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete this degree.
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Washington And Jefferson College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Washington And Jefferson College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Washington And Jefferson College generally make around $39,584. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Alvernia University earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Reading. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Alvernia University awarded about 12 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $53,960 in their early career. Alvernia University graduates carry a median of $31,900 in student loans.
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La Salle University came in at #19 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $36,127. La Salle University graduates carry a median of $26,924 in student loans.
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Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn around $31,419 in the first couple years of their career. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Chatham University placed #21 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Chatham University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Chatham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $61,339 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Lancaster Bible College earned the #22 position for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lancaster. Lancaster Bible College graduates 68% of students within six years. About 20 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Lancaster Bible College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $31,046 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,507.
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Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #23 among the best communication & media studies schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $34,181. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $35,872. Typical student debt for the program is $28,263.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Pennsylvania Western University
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for communication & media studies this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,999 early in their careers. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & media studies education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 43 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.
