Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
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.
West Virginia University tops our 2027 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 67 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at West Virginia University
Shepherd University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Shepherd University awarded about 17 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $23,653 in their early career. Shepherd University graduates carry a median of $19,558 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Shepherd University
American Public University System is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #3. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,555 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at American Public University System
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at West Virginia State University, which ranked #4. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Institute. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of West Virginia State University earn a median of $26,351 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,788 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for West Virginia State University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 4 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.
