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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Associate’s Degree Schools

26 Colleges in the United States
4,862 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$46,596 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1403 schools to find the best for communication & media studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in communication & media studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 27 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Santa Rosa Junior College

2

Suffolk County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 29 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,246. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Suffolk County Community College

3
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Orange Coast College, which ranked #3. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 126 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Orange Coast College

4

Austin Community College District is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 25 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Austin Community College District

5
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

A rank of #5 makes Moorpark College one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 58 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Moorpark College

6
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Saddleback College awarded about 121 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $15,890 in their early career. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Saddleback College

7
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. There were roughly 51 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $51,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at College Of The Canyons

8
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College came in at #8 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 216 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Get the full communication & media studies details for Santa Barbara City College

9

Weber State University landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ogden. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 25 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Weber State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $55,569 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,566. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Weber State University

10
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #10 for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 52 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Cerritos College

11
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. There were roughly 73 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Diablo Valley College

12
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. College Of San Mateo awarded about 49 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for College Of San Mateo

13
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. About 45 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Foothill College

14
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Cuesta College awarded about 53 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Cuesta College earn around $64,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Cuesta College

15
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA

Miracosta College came in at #15 for communication & media studies this year. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Miracosta College awarded about 47 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Miracosta College

16
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. De Anza College awarded about 58 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from De Anza College

17

County College Of Morris came in at #17 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. About 24 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at County College Of Morris in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $15,905 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for County College Of Morris

18

Capital Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 41 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Capital Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Capital Community College

19

Fresno City College landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 29 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $37,470 in their early career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Fresno City College

20
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 254 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Santa Monica College

21

Santiago Canyon College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. There were roughly 46 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,100 in their early career. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Santiago Canyon College

22

Riverside City College landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. There were roughly 44 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Riverside City College earn around $37,102 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,767. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Riverside City College

23

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 62 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Central New Mexico Community College

24
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. There were roughly 38 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,016. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Nassau Community College

25

Mt San Antonio College landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. About 90 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Mt San Antonio College

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & media studies education:

26
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
27
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
28
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
29
30
31
32
33
34
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
35
36
37
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA
38
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
39
40
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
41
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
42
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
43
44
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
45
46
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Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
47
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Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
48
49
50
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for communication & media studies:

Other Communication & Media Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best communication & media studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Communication & Media Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Communication & Media Studies
Master's Degrees in Communication & Media Studies
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View All Communication & Media Studies 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 · 1403 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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