2026 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Pennsylvania
Communication & Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 105 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & journalism students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Communication & Journalism in Pennsylvania
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
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & journalism. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 899 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $53,022. 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
A rank of #3 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for communication & journalism. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 90 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full communication & journalism details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Villanova University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 168 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $51,574 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,456.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Villanova University
A rank of #5 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for communication & journalism. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 101 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 47 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $64,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #7 position for communication & journalism this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 186 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $39,051 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Shippensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 41 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #9 spot for communication & journalism this year. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. About 116 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Gannon University came in at #10 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 25 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Gannon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Gannon University earn around $73,658 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Gannon University
Pennsylvania Western University placed #11 among the best communication & journalism schools. This large public university is located in the town of California. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 50 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Pennsylvania Western University
Lehigh University earned the #12 position for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 24 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $45,256 in their early career. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Lehigh University
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College awarded about 28 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Temple University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 579 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Temple University earn a median of $40,353 early in their careers. Temple University graduates carry a median of $25,908 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Temple University
Muhlenberg College came in at #15 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Muhlenberg College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 30 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Muhlenberg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $29,950 in their early career. Muhlenberg College graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Muhlenberg College
Saint Josephs University came in at #16 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Saint Josephs University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $38,024 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,990 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Saint Josephs University
University Of Scranton placed #17 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 49 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Scranton earn around $35,568 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Scranton graduates carry a median of $26,288 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Scranton
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #18 among the best communication & journalism schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. About 12 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent year.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Messiah College landed the #19 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Messiah College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $45,021. Typical student debt for the program is $26,195.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Messiah College
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 91 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn around $35,840 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Lebanon Valley College came in at #21 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Lebanon Valley College awarded about 24 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $45,286 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Lebanon Valley College
Grove City College earned the #22 position for communication & journalism this year. Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grove City. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Grove City College in the most recent data year.
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Duquesne University came in at #23 for communication & journalism this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $39,186 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Duquesne University
Wilkes University came in at #24 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wilkes University graduates 63% of students within six years. Wilkes University awarded about 22 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $36,271. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Wilkes University
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona came in at #25 for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona in the most recent data year.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools also placed among the best for communication & journalism this year:
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 105 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.