Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1403 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School
The communication & media studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Communication & Media Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Communication & Media Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies 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 communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 492 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 172 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $55,162. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Boston College
Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 34 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Southern Methodist University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 219 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $50,556 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 80 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,022 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $15,637 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Pennsylvania
University Of California Davis landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 258 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,569. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of California Davis
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 148 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $47,368 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 232 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Berkeley came in at #10 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 226 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,180 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 597 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $46,598 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of California Santa Barbara
Johns Hopkins University earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 262 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $82,754 in their early career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Johns Hopkins University
University Of Southern California ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 497 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $58,119 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Southern California
University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 265 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Maryland College Park
Cornell University landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $62,182 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,418 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Cornell University
Stanford University landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 21 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $69,670. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Stanford University
James Madison University came in at #17 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 442 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $42,769 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,502.
Get the full communication & media studies details for James Madison University
George Mason University came in at #18 for communication & media studies this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 126 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from George Mason University
Wake Forest University placed #19 among the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 133 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $42,055 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Wake Forest University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 261 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $44,309 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,613 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 194 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,848 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station placed #22 among the best communication & media studies schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 646 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $43,295 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,782 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. 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 242 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Northwestern University earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 88 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $69,611 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,112 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Northwestern University
Chapman University landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 91 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $44,601. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Chapman University
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for communication & media studies this year:
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 · 1403 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
