Communication & Journalism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 780 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best communication & journalism schools.
No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for communication & journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 518 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $43,348 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
A rank of #2 makes New York University one of the top schools for communication & journalism. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 554 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $48,149 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for New York University
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 202 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Boston College earn a median of $55,162 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Boston College
University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 336 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $45,707 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 225 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 216 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $50,556 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for communication & journalism this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 271 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,569. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of California Davis
University Of Chicago landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Chicago
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 94 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,022 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $15,637 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Pennsylvania
Stanford University placed #10 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 47 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $69,670 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Stanford University
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #11 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 116 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $47,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
James Madison University placed #12 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 472 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $42,769. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,502 in student loans.
Get the full communication & journalism details for James Madison University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #13 for communication & journalism this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 639 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $46,598 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,018.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of California Santa Barbara
Wake Forest University landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 138 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $42,055. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Wake Forest University
University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 675 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $48,353 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $18,978 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Southern California
George Mason University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 131 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for George Mason University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #17 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 309 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. Typical student debt for the program is $20,613.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #18 among the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 301 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $42,461 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,499.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Cornell University landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 69 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $62,182 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,418.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Cornell University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 353 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $45,332 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,450 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Maryland College Park
Texas A And M University College Station placed #21 among the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 550 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $43,136 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,040.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Texas A And M University College Station
Southern Methodist University came in at #22 for communication & journalism this year. 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. Southern Methodist University awarded about 195 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $50,787 early in their careers. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,663 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Southern Methodist University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 142 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $41,409 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Richmond came in at #24 for communication & journalism this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. About 14 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $43,157. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $15,897 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Richmond
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #25 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 186 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $52,604 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,249.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also placed among the best for communication & journalism this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 780 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).