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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

28 Colleges in the United States
1,611 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$35,233 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools to find the best for communication & media studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region

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 & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school 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

2

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 78 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

3
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 81 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $52,640. American University graduates carry a median of $22,611 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at American University

4
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Marist College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Marist College earn a median of $41,818 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Marist College

5

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. See the full communication & media studies program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 159 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,051 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7

Pace University New York came in at #7 for communication & media studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 116 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,992 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Pace University New York

8

University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #8 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland Baltimore County awarded about 39 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $30,737. Typical student debt for the program is $24,389. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Maryland Baltimore County

9

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $29,860 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for State University Of New York At New Paltz

10
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Stony Brook University earn around $60,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Stony Brook University

11
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 11 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $39,782 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Hofstra University

12
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Muhlenberg College awarded about 30 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Muhlenberg College

13

Catholic University Of America earned the #13 position for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $43,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Catholic University Of America

14

Clarkson University placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Clarkson University awarded about 13 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Clarkson University earn a median of $41,745 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,566. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Clarkson University

15
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #15 for communication & media studies this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 134 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $29,054 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Cuny Hunter College

16
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School placed #16 among the best communication & media studies schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The New School generally make around $31,782. The New School graduates carry a median of $23,241 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for The New School

17

Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Geneva. About 77% of students finish within six years. Hobart William Smith Colleges awarded about 33 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $50,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Hobart William Smith Colleges

18

Cuny Queens College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 69 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $31,918 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Cuny Queens College

19

Suny College At Oneonta placed #19 among the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Oneonta. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $27,973 in their early career. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Suny College At Oneonta

20
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #20 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 114 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $34,496. Students borrow a median of $24,880 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Temple University

21

Suny At Purchase College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. About 18 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $31,881. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Suny At Purchase College

22
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. About 20 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Nassau Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $29,016 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Nassau Community College

23

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. About 16 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn around $35,957 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

24

William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 18 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $31,870 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,439. Get the full communication & media studies details for William Paterson University Of New Jersey

25
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of New Rochelle. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Iona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $29,911. Typical student debt for the program is $26,954. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Iona College

Rest of the Top 35 Communication & Media Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & media studies education:

26
27
28
Lim College crest
Lim College
New York, NY
29
30
31
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ
32
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
33
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
34
35

Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 65 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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