Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for communication & media studies students.
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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 Auburn University the best school in the country for a degree in communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 125 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $35,929. Students borrow a median of $20,675 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Auburn University
A rank of #2 makes Samford University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Samford University awarded about 26 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Samford University earn a median of $39,690 early in their careers. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Samford University
The University Of Alabama is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 228 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,351 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University Of Alabama
A rank of #4 makes Spring Hill College one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. Spring Hill College awarded about 11 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Spring Hill College
A rank of #5 makes University Of West Alabama one of the top schools for communication & media studies. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. About 44 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of West Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $53,270 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,894.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of West Alabama
Troy University earned the #6 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Troy University graduates 49% of students within six years. Troy University awarded about 32 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,859 in their early career. Troy University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Troy University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,139 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
University Of North Alabama came in at #8 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of North Alabama earn around $30,182 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Alabama graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
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University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $41,713 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,797.
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Jacksonville State University earned the #10 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Jacksonville State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Jacksonville State University awarded about 27 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,147 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Jacksonville State University
University Of South Alabama placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mobile. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of South Alabama awarded about 23 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $30,153. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Alabama A And M University came in at #12 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. About 24% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Alabama A And M University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Alabama A And M University earn around $45,909 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Alabama A And M University
Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 15 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University At Montgomery in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $31,354 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,500.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Auburn University At Montgomery
Alabama State University placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Alabama State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Alabama State University earn around $21,996 in the first couple years of their career. Alabama State University graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Alabama State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 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.
