Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 22 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 Virginia.
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 112 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $47,368. Typical student debt for the program is $21,230.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 305 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from James Madison University earn around $42,769 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,502 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at James Madison University
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 308 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. Typical student debt for the program is $20,613.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 143 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $63,131 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from George Mason University
University Of Mary Washington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,243 in their early career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Mary Washington
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 222 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $35,808 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
Christopher Newport University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Christopher Newport University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 90 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $36,953. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Christopher Newport University
Old Dominion University earned the #8 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Old Dominion University earn around $57,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001.
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Marymount University earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 10 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Marymount University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Marymount University earn around $58,028 in the first couple years of their career. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $26,880 in student loans.
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Liberty University earned the #10 position for communication & media studies this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 319 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $39,116 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Liberty University
Longwood University earned the #11 position for communication & media studies this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. Longwood University awarded about 37 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Longwood University earn around $36,062 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Longwood University
Roanoke College earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 17 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Roanoke College earn around $36,220 in the first couple years of their career. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans.
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Randolph Macon College landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. About 19 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,328 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Radford University earned the #14 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Radford University earn around $38,038 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
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Emory And Henry College came in at #15 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emory And Henry College awarded about 12 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete this degree.
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Averett University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Danville. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Averett University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Averett University earn a median of $53,876 early in their careers. Averett University graduates carry a median of $28,595 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Averett University
Bridgewater College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $29,477 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Bridgewater College
Lynchburg College earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 13 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Lynchburg College in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Lynchburg College
John Tyler Community College earned the #19 position for communication & media studies this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 15 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $36,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from John Tyler Community College
Regent University placed #20 among the best communication & media studies schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 66 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Regent University earn a median of $52,175 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Regent University
Virginia State University earned the #21 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 53 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Virginia State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $23,897 in their early career. Virginia State University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Virginia State University
Virginia Union University earned the #22 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Virginia Union University graduates 34% of students within six years. About 10 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Union University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $18,076 early in their careers. Virginia Union University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Virginia Union University
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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 · 22 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.
