2027 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in California
Communication & Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 145 schools to find the best for communication & journalism students.
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Best Schools for Communication & Journalism in California
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 communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Communication & Journalism
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & journalism. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 225 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of California Los Angeles
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. 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.
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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. 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.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & journalism, ranking #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 336 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $45,707 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,180.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of California Berkeley
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 54 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $69,670. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Stanford University
University Of Southern California landed the #6 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. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,067 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data 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.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #7 position for communication & journalism this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 186 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $52,604 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,249 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Chapman University placed #8 among the best communication & journalism schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 185 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $41,298 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,323.
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Santa Clara University came in at #9 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 103 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $51,720. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Santa Clara University
Loyola Marymount University placed #10 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 145 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $41,113 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Loyola Marymount University
San Jose State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 342 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full communication & journalism program report for San Jose State University
California State University Sacramento earned the #12 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 365 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,769 in student loans.
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San Diego State University placed #13 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. There were roughly 642 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $36,484 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,331 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at San Diego State University
San Francisco State University came in at #14 for communication & journalism this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 318 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from San Francisco State University earn around $35,864 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $16,568 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego placed #15 among the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 252 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego 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. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $14,568 in student loans.
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University Of San Francisco placed #16 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. About 138 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $38,185 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of San Francisco
Claremont Mckenna College earned the #17 position for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 12 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Claremont Mckenna College earn around $66,028 in the first couple years of their career. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Claremont Mckenna College
Pepperdine University came in at #18 for communication & journalism this year. 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. Communication & Journalism graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $45,935 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete this degree.
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 53 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College 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. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
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California State University Fullerton placed #20 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 726 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $37,841 in the first couple years of their career. 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 placed #21 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 23 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Scripps College
California State University Chico landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. California State University Chico awarded about 130 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $37,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,343.
See the full communication & journalism program report for California State University Chico
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. About 10 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,559.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of California Santa Cruz
Sonoma State University came in at #24 for communication & journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 76 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Sonoma State University earn around $32,952 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,129 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Sonoma State University
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #25 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 118 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $32,852. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $14,267 in student loans.
Get the full communication & journalism details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also placed among the best for communication & journalism this year:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 145 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.
