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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communications Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

22 Colleges in the United States
1,243 Communications Degrees Awarded
$37,631 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communications is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communications programs.

College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best communications schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communications 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 communications degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communications

1

Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communications. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Read more about the communications program at Cornell University

2

A rank of #2 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the top schools for communications. This moderately-sized public university is 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. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for The College Of New Jersey

3
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communications, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 126 communications students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $41,818 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Marist College

4

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communications, ranking #4. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 communications students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $50,552. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in communications from George Washington University

5
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

A rank of #5 makes Towson University one of the top schools for communications. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Towson University awarded about 111 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Towson University earn a median of $42,657 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Towson University

6

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for communications this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. About 56% of students finish within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 51 communications degrees in the most recent data year. See the full communications program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

7
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #7 among the best communications schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Cuny City College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 communications students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Cuny City College earn around $42,734 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,827. Read more about the communications program at Cuny City College

8

Fordham University earned the #8 position for communications this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 80 communications degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $46,405. Typical student debt for the program is $25,700. Get the full communications details for Fordham University

9

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #9 among the best communications schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 98 communications degrees were awarded at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $7,892 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

10

University Of Scranton earned the #10 position for communications this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 18 communications degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Scranton earn around $56,861 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in communications from University Of Scranton

11

Pennsylvania Western University placed #11 among the best communications schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 24 communications degrees in the most recent data year. See the full communications program report for Pennsylvania Western University

12

Suny College At Cortland placed #12 among the best communications schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Cortland. Suny College At Cortland graduates 68% of students within six years. About 48 communications degrees were awarded at Suny College At Cortland in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $34,683 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,874 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for Suny College At Cortland

13

Saint John Fisher College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 communications students who graduated with this degree at Saint John Fisher College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $30,233. Students borrow a median of $23,328 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from Saint John Fisher College

14

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 69 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,840 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full communications program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

15

Suny At Purchase College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 communications students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Suny At Purchase College earn around $31,881 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Suny At Purchase College

16

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for communications 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. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 70 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications 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. See the full communications program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

17

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #17 for communications this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Cuny College Of Staten Island awarded about 46 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Cuny College Of Staten Island earn around $29,702 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for Cuny College Of Staten Island

18

Alvernia University landed the #18 spot for communications this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 56% of students finish within six years. Alvernia University awarded about 10 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Alvernia University earn around $53,960 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,900. More information about a degree in communications from Alvernia University

19
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 communications students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $36,127 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,924 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from La Salle University

20

Washington And Jefferson College came in at #20 for communications this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Washington And Jefferson College awarded about 10 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $39,584 in their early career. Washington And Jefferson College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Washington And Jefferson College

21

Marymount Manhattan College landed the #21 spot for communications this year. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 13 communications degrees were awarded at Marymount Manhattan College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $24,962 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Marymount Manhattan College

22
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College landed the #22 spot for communications this year. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 16 communications students who graduated with this degree at Allegheny College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $31,994 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in communications from Allegheny College

23
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY

Utica College landed the #23 spot for communications this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 communications students who graduated with this degree at Utica College in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Utica College earn a median of $23,890 early in their careers. Utica College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at Utica College

24

Saint Vincent College came in at #24 for communications this year. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 12 communications degrees were awarded at Saint Vincent College in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from Saint Vincent College earn around $25,889 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in communications from Saint Vincent College

25

Suny College At Potsdam earned the #25 position for communications this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 12 communications degrees were awarded at Suny College At Potsdam in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $34,933. Suny College At Potsdam graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Suny College At Potsdam

Rest of the Top 28 Communications Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communications ranking:

26
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
27
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY
28

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 71 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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