2027 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in North Carolina
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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 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 North Carolina
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
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 school for communication & journalism. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 558 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $49,991 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at Wake Forest University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 160 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $42,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Wake Forest University
Elon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & journalism, ranking #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Elon University awarded about 263 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Elon University earn a median of $34,213 early in their careers. Elon University graduates carry a median of $20,887 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Elon University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & journalism, ranking #4. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 240 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $39,889 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete this degree.
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High Point University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 282 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $113,352 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #6 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 229 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $36,695 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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Davidson College came in at #7 for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Davidson College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $41,505 in their early career. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #8 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 253 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $38,234 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
East Carolina University earned the #9 position for communication & journalism this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 293 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $45,745 in their early career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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Appalachian State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 330 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $35,423 early in their careers. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,455 in student loans.
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Western Carolina University landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Western Carolina University earn around $27,805 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,840.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at Western Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #12 for communication & journalism this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. About 129 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,559 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Queens University Of Charlotte placed #13 among the best communication & journalism schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Queens University Of Charlotte awarded about 48 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $42,489 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Queens University Of Charlotte
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #14 spot for communication & journalism this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Asheville in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $27,682 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Barton College placed #15 among the best communication & journalism schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilson. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Barton College awarded about 10 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Barton College earn a median of $43,301 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,122.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Barton College
Wingate University earned the #16 position for communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Wingate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Wingate University earn around $40,438 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,400.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Wingate University
Meredith College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 70% of students finish within six years. Meredith College awarded about 22 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Meredith College earn around $40,256 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Meredith College
North Carolina A And T State University placed #18 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 131 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from North Carolina A And T State University earn around $28,985 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,643 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from North Carolina A And T State University
Gardner Webb University placed #19 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 17 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Gardner Webb University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Gardner Webb University
North Carolina Central University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best communication & journalism schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 38 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina Central University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $25,750 in their early career. North Carolina Central University graduates carry a median of $29,662 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #21 among the best communication & journalism schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pembroke. About 44% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke awarded about 26 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $26,411 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $29,663 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Winston Salem State University landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Winston Salem State University awarded about 49 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Winston Salem State University earn around $24,899 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,096 to complete this degree.
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Fayetteville State University landed the #23 spot for communication & journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. About 22 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Fayetteville State University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $24,210 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,417 to complete this degree.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 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.