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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communications Schools in the Southwest Region

24 Colleges in the United States
2,597 Communications Degrees Awarded
$39,714 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communications programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 58 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 Southwest 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

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University College Station the best school in the country for a degree in communications. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 646 communications degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $43,295 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $17,782 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Texas A And M University College Station

2

Baylor University came in at #2 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. There were roughly 202 communications students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data 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. Get the full communications details for Baylor University

3

Students looking for a strong communications program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 communications students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $32,123 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Texas Christian University

4

University Of Houston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 53 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $37,958. Students borrow a median of $24,777 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for University Of Houston

5

Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. About 41% of students finish within six years. About 13 communications degrees were awarded at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $57,280 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for Southwestern Oklahoma State University

6

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #6 among the best communications schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 251 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $32,990 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from The University Of Texas At Arlington

7
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University came in at #7 for communications this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 communications students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Tarleton State University earn around $35,715 in the first couple years of their career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $22,368 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Tarleton State University

8

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #8 for communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. About 47 communications degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communications program make about $34,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. Get the full communications details for Central New Mexico Community College

9

Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #9 position for communications this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 21 communications students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Chandler Gilbert Community College

10

Saint Edwards University came in at #10 for communications this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 communications degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $31,117. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full communications program report for Saint Edwards University

11

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 285 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $37,858. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $22,923 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

12

Mesa Community College came in at #12 for communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 43 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from Mesa Community College

13

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #13 among the best communications schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $28,566. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates carry a median of $19,829 in student loans. Get the full communications details for University Of Houston Clear Lake

14

University Of Houston Victoria earned the #14 position for communications this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Victoria. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Houston Victoria earn around $47,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for University Of Houston Victoria

15

Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #15 among the best communications schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 20 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $51,483 in their early career. Glendale Community College Glendale Az graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Get the full communications details for Glendale Community College Glendale Az

16

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #16 among the best communications schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Edinburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 14 communications degrees in the most recent data year. Communications graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Get the full communications details for The University Of Texas Pan American

17

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for communications this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 40 communications students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn around $41,860 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communications from New Mexico State University Main Campus

18

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #18 among the best communications schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 31 communications degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn around $46,203 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,852 to complete this degree. See the full communications program report for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

19

Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #19 for communications this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 38 communications degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $31,953. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communications from Texas A And M University San Antonio

20

Scottsdale Community College came in at #20 for communications this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Scottsdale. About 11 communications degrees were awarded at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,084. Get the full communications details for Scottsdale Community College

21

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #21 spot for communications this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 16% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 249 communications degrees were awarded at University Of Phoenix Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their communications degree from University Of Phoenix Arizona earn around $47,919 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $45,000. See the full communications program report for University Of Phoenix Arizona

22

Tulsa Community College came in at #22 for communications this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 communications students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $41,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,789. More information about a degree in communications from Tulsa Community College

23

Grand Canyon University came in at #23 for communications this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 115 communications degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Communications graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,323 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full communications program report for Grand Canyon University

24

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best communications schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston Downtown graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 88 communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communications program make about $34,123 in their early career. University Of Houston Downtown graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Read more about the communications program at University Of Houston Downtown

25

Estrella Mountain Community College placed #25 among the best communications schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 15 communications students who graduated with this degree at Estrella Mountain Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communications degree from Estrella Mountain Community College earn around $78,359 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete this degree. Read more about the communications program at Estrella Mountain Community College

Rest of the Top 33 Communications Schools

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

26
27
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
28
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
29
30
31
32
33

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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 · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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