Media Arts 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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best media arts schools.
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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 media arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Drake University the best school in the country for a degree in media arts. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 20 media arts degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273.
Read more about the media arts program at Drake University
University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 22 media arts degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their media arts degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $36,324 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $19,604 in student loans.
Get the full media arts details for University Of Northern Iowa
Iowa Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best media arts schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 10 media arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their media arts degree from Iowa Central Community College earn around $39,624 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,135.
See the full media arts program report for Iowa Central Community College
Hawkeye Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best media arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Waterloo. Hawkeye Community College awarded about 15 media arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their media arts degree from Hawkeye Community College earn around $41,902 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete this degree.
Read more about the media arts program at Hawkeye Community College
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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 · 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.
