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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 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.
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee, our #1 school for communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 237 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $41,258. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Tennessee
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Belmont University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Belmont University awarded about 31 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $41,889. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Belmont University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 117 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $33,082. Typical student debt for the program is $21,831.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Middle Tennessee State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 97 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $29,877. Students borrow a median of $24,329 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Middle Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University earned the #6 position for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 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. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from East Tennessee State University
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. About 52% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee Martin awarded about 14 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $26,803 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,481 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for The University Of Tennessee Martin
University Of Memphis landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 75 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $26,922. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $23,381 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Memphis
Austin Peay State University placed #9 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 27 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $34,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Austin Peay State University
Bryan College Dayton landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Bryan College Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $44,067 in their early career. Bryan College Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,652 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Bryan College Dayton
Tennessee State University came in at #11 for communication & media studies this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Tennessee State University in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Tennessee State University
Lane College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Lane College graduates 18% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Lane College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Lane College earn a median of $26,497 early in their careers. Lane College graduates carry a median of $37,241 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Lane College
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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 · 12 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.
