Communication & Media Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & media studies education in Tennessee.
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 20 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Vanderbilt University
The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #2. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 243 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $41,258 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University Of Tennessee
Union University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #3. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Union University graduates 66% of students within six years. Union University awarded about 11 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,605.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Union University
Belmont University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Belmont University awarded about 30 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $41,889 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Belmont University
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, which ranked #5. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 111 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $33,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,831.
Get the full communication & media studies details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Bryan College Dayton came in at #6 for communication & media studies this year. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Bryan College Dayton graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Bryan College Dayton in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,652.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Bryan College Dayton
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 115 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $29,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,329.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Middle Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University placed #8 among the best communication & media studies schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $33,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Get the full communication & media studies details for East Tennessee State University
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #9 for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Martin. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $26,803. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $24,481 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at The University Of Tennessee Martin
Carson Newman College placed #10 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Carson Newman College graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Carson Newman College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $28,221 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,235 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Carson Newman College
University Of Memphis placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 73 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $26,922 in their early career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $23,381 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Memphis
Austin Peay State University earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Austin Peay State University awarded about 35 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Austin Peay State University earn around $34,582 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Austin Peay State University
Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 34 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $25,140 in their early career. Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Tennessee 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 · 26 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.
