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2026 Best Communication & Journalism Master’s Degree Schools

164 Colleges in the United States
28,731 Communication & Journalism Degrees Awarded
$45,562 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 1687 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best communication & journalism schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Communication & Journalism in the United States

Below are the best communication & journalism schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Communication & Journalism

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 279 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $89,444. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Read more about the communication & journalism program at Georgetown University

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 155 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $48,632 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $14,338 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 440 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Northwestern University earn around $87,596 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,954 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for Northwestern University

4

Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 262 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $82,754 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. See the full communication & journalism program report for Johns Hopkins University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Delaware one of the top schools for communication & journalism. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. About 41 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $41,897 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Delaware

6

University Of Chicago landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Chicago

7
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 24 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Stanford University

8

George Mason University came in at #8 for communication & journalism this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 28 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from George Mason University

9

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #9 for communication & journalism this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 129 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $47,368 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,230. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

10
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 52 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $43,318. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Clemson University

11

San Jose State University earned the #11 position for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 174 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full communication & journalism program report for San Jose State University

12
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best communication & journalism schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 78 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $70,112 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Purdue University Main Campus

13

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 36 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $56,634 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #14 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 368 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $39,087 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Wisconsin Madison

15

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of California Santa Barbara

16

University Of Southern California ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 672 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 $53,316 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $18,978 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Southern California

17

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #17 among the best communication & journalism schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 404 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $37,833 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,754 in student loans. Get the full communication & journalism details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

18

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for communication & journalism this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 28 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $113,129 in their early career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. See the full communication & journalism program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

19

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #19 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 261 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $44,309 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,613 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

20
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 756 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $43,604 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,358 in student loans. Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Florida

21
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #21 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,502 to complete this degree. See the full communication & journalism program report for James Madison University

22
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Harvard University

23

San Diego State University came in at #23 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 190 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $37,029 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,331. See the full communication & journalism program report for San Diego State University

24

California State University Fullerton landed the #24 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 176 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $29,945 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,621. Get the full communication & journalism details for California State University Fullerton

25

George Washington University landed the #25 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 167 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $69,337 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,862. More information about a degree in communication & journalism from George Washington University

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism ranking:

26
27
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
28
29
30
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
31
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
32
33
34
35
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC
36
37
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
38
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
39
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
40
41
42
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
43
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
44
45
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY
46
47
48
49
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
50

Additional Communication & Journalism Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for communication & journalism:

Rank School Location
#52 Baylor University Waco, TX
#57 University Of Nebraska Lincoln Lincoln, NE
#62 University Of Oregon Eugene, OR
#63 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
#67 University Of Iowa Iowa City, IA
#70 University Of Denver Denver, CO
#72 University Of Missouri Columbia Columbia, MO
#73 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
#82 The University Of Texas At Austin Austin, TX
#86 University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
#89 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
#107 University Of Maryland College Park College Park, MD
#148 Savannah College Of Art And Design Savannah, GA

Honorable Mentions

A few more communication & journalism schools worth a look:

Other Communication & Journalism Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Communication & Journalism rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Communication & Journalism
Associate's Degrees in Communication & Journalism
Bachelor's Degrees in Communication & Journalism
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1687 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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