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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

75 Colleges in the United States
12,126 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$46,476 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 225 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the Far Western 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 communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

University Of California Davis tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 258 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,569 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of California Davis

2

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #2. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. 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. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $63,833 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 226 communication & media studies degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $11,180. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of California Berkeley

4

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 597 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $46,598 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of California Santa Barbara

5

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 497 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,119. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Southern California

6
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #6 among the best communication & media studies schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 21 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Stanford University earn around $69,670 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Stanford University

7

Chapman University earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 91 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $44,601. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full communication & media studies details for Chapman University

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 317 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $44,638 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 86 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $62,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

10

San Jose State University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 206 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full communication & media studies details for San Jose State University

11
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #11 position for communication & media studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 104 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Santa Clara University earn around $51,720 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Santa Clara University

12

Pepperdine University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $48,398 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,667. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Pepperdine University

13

Loyola Marymount University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 105 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $41,113 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Loyola Marymount University

14

California State University Sacramento ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 372 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $39,304 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for California State University Sacramento

15

San Diego State University landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 334 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $44,130 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,675 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from San Diego State University

16

San Francisco State University placed #16 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 215 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,790 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for San Francisco State University

17

California State University Fullerton landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 625 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $40,251 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for California State University Fullerton

18

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 75 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $44,638 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

19

University Of California San Diego placed #19 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 228 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,046. Students borrow a median of $14,568 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of California San Diego

20
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #20 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of San Francisco awarded about 98 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,000 in their early career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of San Francisco

21

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 27 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Santa Rosa Junior College

22

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #22 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 50 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

23

Western Washington University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Western Washington University awarded about 100 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Western Washington University earn around $34,857 in the first couple years of their career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Western Washington University

24
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 31 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Gonzaga University earn around $37,799 in the first couple years of their career. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Gonzaga University

25

California State University Long Beach earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 355 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $34,172 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,953. Read more about the communication & media studies program at California State University Long Beach

Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies ranking:

26
27
28
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
29
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA
30
31
32
33
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
34
35
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
36
37
38
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
39
40
41
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
42
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
43
44
45
46
47
48
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
49
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more communication & media studies schools worth a look:

Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State

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View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 225 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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