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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communications Schools

137 Colleges in the United States
10,012 Communications Degrees Awarded
$39,711 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communications degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communications programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 438 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communications students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Communications School

Best Communications Schools

The school you choose for communications can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Communications Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Communications Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Communications
Bachelor's Degrees in Communications
Master's Degrees in Communications
Doctoral Degrees in Communications

We offer several rankings, including this Best Communications Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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Best Schools for Communications in the United States

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 communications degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communications

1

Our analysis ranked University Of California Davis the best school in the country for a degree in communications. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 258 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,569 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communications, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 232 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 597 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $46,598. Typical student debt for the program is $13,018. See the full communications program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 communications students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Cornell University earn around $62,182 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $14,418 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Cornell University

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 128 communications degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from Wake Forest University earn around $42,055 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Wake Forest University

6

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 646 communications students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $43,295 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,782. Get the full communications details for Texas A And M University College Station

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for communications this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 206 communications degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $37,808 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in communications from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Pepperdine University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 communications students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $48,398 in their early career. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $19,667 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Pepperdine University

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #9 spot for communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 95 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,912 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. More information about a degree in communications from University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

Baylor University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 202 communications degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $43,740 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,860 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Baylor University

11

The College Of New Jersey earned the #11 position for communications this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 communications students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $37,151 in their early career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full communications program report for The College Of New Jersey

12
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #12 for communications this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 47 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $43,243. Typical student debt for the program is $22,825. Get the full communications details for University Of Mary Washington

13

Texas Christian University earned the #13 position for communications this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Christian University awarded about 24 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $32,123 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Texas Christian University

14
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #14 for communications this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Utah awarded about 261 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Utah earn around $43,801 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,017 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from University Of Utah

15
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 126 communications students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $41,818. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Marist College

16

University Of California San Diego placed #16 among the best communications schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 228 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,046 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,568. Get the full communications details for University Of California San Diego

17
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University earned the #17 position for communications this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 46 communications degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at High Point University

18

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #18 for communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 251 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $36,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,125. Read more about the communications program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

19

George Washington University landed the #19 spot for communications this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 communications students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from George Washington University earn around $50,552 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from George Washington University

20
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #20 spot for communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 111 communications students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $42,657. Typical student debt for the program is $20,309. See the full communications program report for Towson University

21

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for communications this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 51 communications degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in communications from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

22
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #22 for communications this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 communications degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Boston University earn a median of $40,675 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,108 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from Boston University

23
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 communications students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Cuny City College graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at Cuny City College

24

Fordham University placed #24 among the best communications schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 80 communications students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $46,405 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,700 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at Fordham University

25
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College landed the #25 spot for communications this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 communications students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Davidson College

Rest of the Top 50 Communications Schools

These schools also placed among the best for communications this year:

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28
29
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
30
31
32
Bryant University crest
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Additional Communications Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for communications:

Rank School Location
#68 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
#84 Kent State University At Kent Kent, OH

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for communications:

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Communications by Region

View the Best Communications Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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View All Rankings >

Explore other rankings in majors related to Communications. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 438 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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