2026 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of California Davis this year for communication & journalism. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 265 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,569. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & journalism, ranking #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 232 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #3. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 618 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $46,598 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 45 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. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Stanford University

5

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 284 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,112 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,180. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of California Berkeley

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 468 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $46,051 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,338 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

7

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #7 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 1,079 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $51,272 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,978 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Southern California

8

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #8 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 171 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $52,001 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $18,249 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

9

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 161 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $41,262 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,323 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for Chapman University

10

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #10 position for communication & journalism this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 104 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Santa Clara University earn around $51,720 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Santa Clara University

11

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #11 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 351 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full communication & journalism details for San Jose State University

12

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 133 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $41,113 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Loyola Marymount University

13

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 410 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $37,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,769 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for California State University Sacramento

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #14 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 361 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $36,302. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $16,568 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from San Francisco State University

15

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #15 position for communication & journalism this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 485 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $44,407 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,059 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Washington State University

16

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #16 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 75 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $44,638 in their early career. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

17

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 774 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $38,406 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,621. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from California State University Fullerton

18

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #18 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 228 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,046 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,568 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of California San Diego

19

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 115 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $38,351. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of San Francisco

20

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #20 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 50 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn around $44,638 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

21

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University landed the #21 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. About 104 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $45,894 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for Pepperdine University

22

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #22 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 574 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from San Diego State University earn around $38,225 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,331. Read more about the communication & journalism program at San Diego State University

23

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #23 position for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 43 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

24

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University placed #24 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 142 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $34,442. Typical student debt for the program is $18,026. See the full communication & journalism program report for Western Washington University

25

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California earned the #25 position for communication & journalism this year. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 51 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $35,356 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full communication & journalism program report for Saint Marys College Of California