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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 75 schools to find the best for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & media studies education in the Southwest Region.
Leading the list is Southern Methodist University, our #1 school for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 35 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $70,632 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 236 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,848. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #3. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 730 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $43,295 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,782.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Texas A And M University College Station
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 283 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $42,993 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Arizona
Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 309 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Baylor University earn around $43,740 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,860 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Baylor University
Texas Christian University landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 161 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $32,123. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Texas Christian University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 24 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 370 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $56,309. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Arizona State University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $45,009 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for communication & media studies this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 28 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $44,895 in their early career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans.
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Trinity University placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 39 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Trinity University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Trinity University earn around $34,589 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,340.
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Northern Arizona University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 75 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $41,491 early in their careers. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Northern Arizona University
Texas Tech University came in at #13 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 299 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Texas Tech University earn around $40,730 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Texas Tech University
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #14 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. About 604 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $50,004 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Arizona State University Skysong
University Of North Texas landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 78 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of North Texas
University Of Houston earned the #16 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. About 50 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $37,958 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,777.
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Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #17 for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. About 41% of students finish within six years. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 10 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn around $57,280 in the first couple years of their career. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 198 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $43,500. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Texas State University San Marcos
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #19 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 205 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $32,990. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Tarleton State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Tarleton State University earn around $35,715 in the first couple years of their career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $22,368 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Tarleton State University
Houston Baptist University earned the #21 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Houston Baptist University awarded about 14 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. Houston Baptist University graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Houston Baptist University
West Texas A And M University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at West Texas A And M University
University Of Tulsa ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 10 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Tulsa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $27,612. University Of Tulsa graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Tulsa
Stephen F Austin State University placed #24 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 59 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Stephen F Austin State University earn around $45,743 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Stephen F Austin State University
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 230 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $37,858 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,923 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & media studies education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 75 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.
