2026 Best Communications Schools in California

1

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of California Davis this year for communications. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 258 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of California Davis earn around $42,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. Read more about the communications program at University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 232 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. 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
Santa Barbara, CA

Students looking for a strong communications program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 597 communications degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $46,598 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. See the full communications program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 14 communications degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $48,398 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,667 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Pepperdine University

5

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 228 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $33,046 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $14,568 in student loans. See the full communications program report for University Of California San Diego

6

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 communications students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $35,356 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Saint Marys College Of California

7

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 communications degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. Read more about the communications program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

8

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego earned the #8 position for communications this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 73 communications degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $40,776. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at University Of San Diego

9

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of The Pacific awarded about 16 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $28,292 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,485. See the full communications program report for University Of The Pacific

10

National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #10 for communications this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 communications students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from National University generally make around $55,730. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for National University

11

John Paul The Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA

John Paul The Great Catholic University placed #11 among the best communications schools. John Paul The Great Catholic University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Escondido. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. John Paul The Great Catholic University awarded about 53 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from John Paul The Great Catholic University generally make around $27,221. Typical student debt for the program is $26,925. See the full communications program report for John Paul The Great Catholic University

12

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. About 58% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 10 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $36,162. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full communications program report for Concordia University Irvine

13

Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA

Los Angeles Valley College came in at #13 for communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Valley Glen. Los Angeles Valley College awarded about 30 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Typical student debt for the program is $10,254. Get the full communications details for Los Angeles Valley College

14

The Masters College And Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

The Masters College And Seminary landed the #14 spot for communications this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 communications students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $29,015 in their early career. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Get the full communications details for The Masters College And Seminary

15

Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, CA

Los Angeles Film School ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Hollywood. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 communications degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Film School in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Los Angeles Film School generally make around $20,708. Los Angeles Film School graduates carry a median of $33,310 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at Los Angeles Film School