2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 359 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $49,991 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 116 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $47,368 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 226 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,696 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,180. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of California Berkeley

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

6

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #6 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 380 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,996 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Florida

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for communication & media studies 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. About 13 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $37,286 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for communication & media studies this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

9

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best communication & media studies schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 78 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Get the full communication & media studies details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

10

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University came in at #10 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Elon University awarded about 18 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $48,637 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full communication & media studies details for Elon University

11

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 53 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $39,738 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Colorado Boulder

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 16 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $44,130. Students borrow a median of $15,675 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for San Diego State University

13

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee placed #13 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 109 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $41,258. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for The University Of Tennessee

14

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 81 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from American University earn around $52,640 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,611 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at American University

15

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 45 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $35,929. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $20,675 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Auburn University

16

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 62 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $41,670 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Illinois State University

17

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 355 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $36,700. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Indiana University Bloomington

18

Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College placed #18 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. Marist College awarded about 32 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Marist College earn around $41,818 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Marist College

19

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #19 for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 75 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,638. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

20

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 38 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,959 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full communication & media studies program report for Miami University Oxford

21

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 32 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,000 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of San Francisco

22

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #22 for communication & media studies this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $44,638 early in their careers. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

23

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #23 among the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Georgia

24

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo placed #24 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Provo. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 80 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Brigham Young University Provo earn around $46,747 in the first couple years of their career. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $22,530 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Brigham Young University Provo

25

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 50 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania