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2024 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

134 Colleges in the Southeast Region
14,755 Communications Degrees Awarded
$31,329 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in communication & media studies, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #10 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 134 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of communication & media studies. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 14,755 degrees in communication & media studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School

Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region The communications program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies rankings. We derive our Best Overall Communication & Media Studies School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Communication & Media Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Communications
Bachelor's Degrees in Communications
Master's Degrees in Communications
Doctor's Degrees in Communications

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the Southeast Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Southeast Region Schools in Communications

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
668 Communications Degrees Awarded
4.9% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in communication & media studies has to check out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 668 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill get an earnings boost of about $17,171 above the typical income of communication & media studies graduates.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
189 Communications Degrees Awarded
2.1% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in communication & media studies needs to look into University of Florida. Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were roughly 189 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies program at University of Florida earn $21,512 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Florida

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
180 Communications Degrees Awarded
7.8% Growth in Graduates

University of Georgia is a good choice for students interested in a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 180 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from University of Georgia receive an earnings boost of about $7,199 over the average income of communication & media studies graduates.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Georgia

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
149 Communications Degrees Awarded
23.5% Growth in Graduates

Tulane University of Louisiana is a great decision for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies. Tulane is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Orleans. A Best Colleges rank of #78 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Tulane is a great university overall.

There were about 149 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from Tulane University of Louisiana receive an earnings boost of around $8,442 over the typical earnings of communication & media studies graduates.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Tulane University of Louisiana

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
156 Communications Degrees Awarded
19.9% Growth in Graduates

Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Winston-Salem. A Best Colleges rank of #128 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Wake Forest University is a great university overall.

There were about 156 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies degree program at Wake Forest University make $14,254 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Wake Forest University

6
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
446 Communications Degrees Awarded
$39,604 Median Starting Salary

JMU is a very large public university located in the city of Harrisonburg. A Best Colleges rank of #169 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.

There were about 446 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from James Madison University receive an earnings boost of about $8,275 above the typical income of communication & media studies graduates.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from James Madison University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Communications Degrees Awarded
1.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 29 colleges for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were about 326 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies program at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College make $3,929 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
226 Communications Degrees Awarded
$34,243 Median Starting Salary

UK is a very large public university located in the city of Lexington. This university ranks 1st out of 38 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were roughly 226 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from University of Kentucky receive $2,914 more than the average communications grad.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Kentucky

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
403 Communications Degrees Awarded
$32,066 Median Starting Salary

USF Tampa is a very large public university located in the city of Tampa. This university ranks 8th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 403 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the communications program make an average of $32,066 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of South Florida - Main Campus

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
266 Communications Degrees Awarded
29.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were roughly 266 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Communication & Media Studies degree recipients from Virginia Tech receive an earnings boost of around $5,310 above the typical earnings of communication & media studies majors.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Virginia Tech

11
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
262 Communications Degrees Awarded
12.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 34 schools for overall quality in the state of Arkansas.

There were roughly 262 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from University of Arkansas earn $5,781 more than the average communications student.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Arkansas

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
216 Communications Degrees Awarded
6.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #139 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 216 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies degree program at The University of Alabama earn $2,800 more than the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University of Alabama

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
573 Communications Degrees Awarded
$40,044 Median Starting Salary

FIU is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Miami. This university ranks 6th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 573 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies program at Florida International University get $8,715 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Florida International University

14
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
38 Communications Degrees Awarded
$24,581 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were about 38 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the communications program make about $24,581 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Miami

15
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Communications Degrees Awarded
20.4% Growth in Graduates

Belmont is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. This university ranks 3rd out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were about 49 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Belmont in the most recent year we have data available. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from Belmont University make $2,751 more than the average communications graduate.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Belmont University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
186 Communications Degrees Awarded
12.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #173 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UT Knoxville is a great university overall.

There were about 186 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent data year. Those communication & media studies students who get their degree from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville earn $3,809 more than the typical communications student.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$43,416 Median Starting Salary
$24,819 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Elon, Elon is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 5th out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 23 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Elon in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies major at Elon University make $12,087 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Elon University

18
Furman crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Communications Degrees Awarded
$36,227 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Greenville, Furman is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 5th out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 69 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Furman in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the communication & media studies program at Furman University earn $4,898 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Furman University

19
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
169 Communications Degrees Awarded
$30,492 Median Starting Salary

Auburn is a very large public university located in the city of Auburn. A Best Colleges rank of #154 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Auburn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 169 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the communications program report average early career wages of $30,492.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Auburn University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
470 Communications Degrees Awarded
7.2% Growth in Graduates

UCF is a very large public university located in the suburb of Orlando. This university ranks 7th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 470 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, communications degree recipients usually make about $33,232 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Central Florida

Rest of the Top Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
26 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
21 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
22 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
23 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
24 Emory University Atlanta, GA
24 College of Charleston Charleston, SC
25 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best communication & media studies colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 795
Florida 282 2,964
North Carolina 279 2,968
Virginia 274 2,053
Tennessee 269 1,000
South Carolina 248 796
Kentucky 244 785
Louisiana 242 815
Mississippi 234 307
Arkansas 234 457
Alabama 233 967
West Virginia 207 214

View All Rankings >

Communication & Media Studies is one of 5 different types of Communication & Journalism programs to choose from.

Communications Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Speech Communication 8,190
Communication & Media Studies 3,626
Communications 1,783
Other Communication & Media Studies 1,156

View All Communications Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations & Advertising 5,109
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 3,708
Journalism 2,817
Communication & Journalism (Other) 201
Publishing 13

View All Communications Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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