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 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.
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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.
Furman University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 34 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Furman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $41,766. Furman University graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at College Of Charleston, which ranked #2. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of Charleston awarded about 220 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from College Of Charleston earn around $36,903 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 114 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $35,586 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Anderson University Sc, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 30 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Anderson University Sc in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $49,036 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,034.
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A rank of #5 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 122 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $29,821 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Winthrop University placed #6 among the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Rock Hill. Winthrop University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Winthrop University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $35,198. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #7 for communication & media studies this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Upstate in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of South Carolina Upstate earn around $34,456 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Upstate graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #8 among the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Aiken. University Of South Carolina Aiken graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Aiken in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $34,654 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
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Lander University placed #9 among the best communication & media studies schools. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 17 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Lander University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $25,271 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
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Charleston Southern University placed #10 among the best communication & media studies schools. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Charleston Southern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $33,518. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Carolina Beaufort ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bluffton. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. About 13 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Beaufort in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $28,017. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Claflin University placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orangeburg. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Claflin University awarded about 15 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $23,156 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
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South Carolina State University came in at #13 for communication & media studies this year. South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. South Carolina State University graduates 37% of students within six years. South Carolina State University awarded about 12 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from South Carolina State University generally make around $39,914. Students borrow a median of $31,452 to complete this degree.
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Benedict College earned the #14 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Benedict College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $25,769 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $37,311.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 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.
