Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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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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.
No school ranked higher than University Of Kansas this year for communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 104 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Kansas earn around $40,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Kansas
A rank of #2 makes Washburn University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 43 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Washburn University earn around $39,932 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Washburn University
Fort Hays State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Fort Hays State University graduates 46% of students within six years. Fort Hays State University awarded about 11 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Fort Hays State University
Kansas State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 26 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Kansas State University earn around $30,385 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,945.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Kansas State University
Pittsburg State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $28,106 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Pittsburg State University
Wichita State University placed #6 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 37 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,035 in their early career. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $25,159 in student loans.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Wichita State University
Emporia State University earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Emporia. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $37,095. Emporia State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Emporia State University
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
