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2023 Most Popular Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Journalism

402 Ranked Colleges
10,997 Degrees Awarded
$47,415 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master's

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned their degree in communication and journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 10,997 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,425 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s” ranking analyzed 402 colleges that offered a degree in communication and journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular communication and journalism programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Journalism Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communication & Journalism Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The communication & journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree communication & journalism students.

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 402 schools in the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 428 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northwestern

2
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 395 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Southern California

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s. Arizona State University - Skysong is a large public school situated in Scottsdale, Arizona. It awarded 373 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Arizona State University - Skysong

4
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Syracuse University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Syracuse, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 299 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Syracuse University

5
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend New York University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 297 diplomas to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full New York University Communication & Journalism Report

5
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 402 schools in the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston University landed the #5 spot on the list. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 297 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Boston U Communication & Journalism Report

7
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 230 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Liberty University Communication & Journalism Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 217 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Columbia University in the City of New York

9
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Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #9. Southern New Hampshire University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Manchester, New Hampshire. It awarded 187 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Southern New Hampshire University Communication & Journalism Report

10
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Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 186 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Purdue University - Main Campus

11
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Georgetown is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 176 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Georgetown

12
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #12. University of Denver is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at DU

13
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The New School
New York, New York

With a ranking of #13, The New School did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. New School University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 151 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at The New School

14
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. Johns Hopkins is a large school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 149 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Johns Hopkins University

15
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. George Washington University is a large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 143 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at GWU

16
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West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 142 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full West Virginia University Communication & Journalism Report

17
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 132 masters’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Texas Tech

18

Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network

19

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Santurce, , and it awarded 130 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Communication & Journalism Report

20
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 129 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UF

20
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

American University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking. The American University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 129 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at The American University

22
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Fordham University
Bronx, New York

Fordham University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Bronx, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Fordham U

23
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

With a ranking of #23, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s communication and journalism degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Grand Canyon University

24

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 111 diplomas to qualified masters’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at FIU

24
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

Emerson College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 111 masters’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Emerson

Rest of the Best 51 in Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 51 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
27
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
28
29
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York
30
31
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
31
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The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
33
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, Washington
34
Pace University crest
Pace University - New York
New York, New York
34
36
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
37
38
38
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University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
40
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
41
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Troy University
Troy, Alabama
42
42
42
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University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
45
45
Sacred Heart crest
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
47
48
49
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Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
50
Quinnipiac crest
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, Connecticut
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Communication & Journalism Major for a Master’s

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
52Queens University of CharlotteCharlotte, NC
52Marist CollegePoughkeepsie, NY
54University of KansasLawrence, KS
55Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
55University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL
57Washington State UniversityPullman, WA
58Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
59Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA
59Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE
61University of California - BerkeleyBerkeley, CA
61University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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