2027 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Far Western Region
Communication & Journalism 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 181 schools to find the best for communication & journalism students.
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Best Schools for Communication & Journalism in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & journalism education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Communication & Journalism
University Of California Los Angeles tops our 2027 ranking of the best communication & journalism schools. 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. About 225 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $63,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of California Los Angeles
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 271 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of California Davis earn around $42,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of California Davis
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 639 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $46,598. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 336 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $45,707. Typical student debt for the program is $11,180.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $69,670 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Stanford University
University Of Southern California came in at #6 for communication & journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 1,067 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Southern California earn around $51,070 in the first couple years of their career. 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
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #7 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 186 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $52,604 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
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 462 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $45,122 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,338.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Chapman University came in at #9 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 185 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $41,298. Typical student debt for the program is $22,323.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Chapman University
Santa Clara University placed #10 among the best communication & journalism schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 103 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $51,720 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Santa Clara University
Loyola Marymount University placed #11 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 145 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $41,113 in their early career. 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
San Jose State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 342 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full communication & journalism details for San Jose State University
California State University Sacramento landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 365 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,494. Students borrow a median of $18,769 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & journalism details for California State University Sacramento
San Diego State University placed #14 among the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 642 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $36,484. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,331 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from San Diego State University
San Francisco State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 318 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $35,864 early in their careers. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $16,568 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego placed #16 among the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 252 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $33,046 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,568.
Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of California San Diego
University Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for communication & journalism this year. 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. About 138 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $38,185 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #18 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 79 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $44,638 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Washington State University earned the #19 position for communication & journalism this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Washington State University awarded about 471 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $44,331. Students borrow a median of $21,059 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Washington State University
Claremont Mckenna College placed #20 among the best communication & journalism schools. Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Claremont Mckenna College
Pepperdine University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pepperdine University awarded about 157 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $45,935 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Pepperdine University
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 53 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Santa Rosa Junior College
California State University Fullerton ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 726 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 $37,841 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $14,621 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for California State University Fullerton
Scripps College earned the #24 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 23 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Scripps College
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #25 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 39 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $44,638 early in their careers. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & journalism education:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for communication & journalism:
- #51 — California State University Fresno · Fresno, CA
- #52 — Orange Coast College · Costa Mesa, CA
- #53 — Santa Barbara City College · Santa Barbara, CA
- #54 — Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System · Aliso Viejo, CA
- #55 — Evergreen Valley College · San Jose, CA
- #56 — Oregon Institute Of Technology · Klamath Falls, OR
- #57 — Saddleback College · Mission Viejo, CA
- #58 — University Of California Irvine · Irvine, CA
- #59 — Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA
- #60 — Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 181 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.
