Instructional Media Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their instructional media design programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 139 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for instructional media design students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Instructional Media Design School
The school you choose for instructional media design can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Instructional Media Design rankings. For our Best Overall Instructional Media Design School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Instructional Media Design Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Instructional Media Design Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in instructional media design. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from New York University
Students looking for a strong instructional media design program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 26 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from George Mason University earn around $78,324 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the instructional media design program at George Mason University
Pepperdine University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best instructional media design 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. About 14 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Instructional Media Design graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from Pepperdine University
Students looking for a strong instructional media design program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $66,254 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for instructional media design. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 187 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Harvard University earn around $90,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full instructional media design program report for Harvard University
James Madison University landed the #6 spot for instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from James Madison University
Concordia University Irvine came in at #7 for instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 43 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $86,662 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,085.
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California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for instructional media design this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 114 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $78,229. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525.
See the full instructional media design program report for California State University Fullerton
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for instructional media design this year. 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 40 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full instructional media design program report for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Rochester placed #10 among the best instructional media design schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,517.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from University Of Rochester
University Of San Diego came in at #11 for instructional media design this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 41 instructional media design degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795.
See the full instructional media design program report for University Of San Diego
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 40 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Towson University landed the #13 spot for instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Towson University awarded about 74 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $65,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree.
See the full instructional media design program report for Towson University
University Of Georgia came in at #14 for instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 109 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $65,188. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans.
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Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best instructional media design schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 17 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Instructional Media Design graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $57,194 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,294.
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Texas A And M University College Station placed #16 among the best instructional media design schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 19 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $65,086 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from Texas A And M University College Station
Quinnipiac University placed #17 among the best instructional media design schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 22 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Quinnipiac University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $62,573. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans.
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Syracuse University earned the #18 position for instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from Syracuse University
California State University Los Angeles ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 32 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from California State University Los Angeles
Florida State University landed the #20 spot for instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $62,599 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans.
Read more about the instructional media design program at Florida State University
University Of Delaware ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best instructional media design schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 16 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from University Of Delaware
Johns Hopkins University placed #22 among the best instructional media design schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $78,058 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full instructional media design program report for Johns Hopkins University
Wilkes University came in at #23 for instructional media design 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 109 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Wilkes University earn around $64,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from Wilkes University
California State University East Bay placed #24 among the best instructional media design schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 instructional media design degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $74,406 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073.
See the full instructional media design program report for California State University East Bay
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 17 instructional media design degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans.
More information about a degree in instructional media design from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Rest of the Top 50 Instructional Media Design Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s instructional media design ranking:
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 · 139 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).
