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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California

47 Colleges in the United States
10,609 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$48,907 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 176 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in California

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. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. 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. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,569. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of California Los Angeles

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for communication & media studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. 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. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $43,696. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans. 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. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 597 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $46,598 early in their careers. 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
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 21 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $69,670 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Stanford University

6

University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 497 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $58,119 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Southern California

7

Chapman University came in at #7 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 91 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Chapman University earn around $44,601 in the first couple years of their career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Chapman University

8

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #8 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%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 86 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $62,183 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

9

San Jose State University came in at #9 for communication & media studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 206 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from San Jose State University

10

Pepperdine University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $48,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,667. Get the full communication & media studies details for Pepperdine University

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

Santa Clara University came in at #11 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Santa Clara University

12

California State University Sacramento landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 372 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $39,304. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for California State University Sacramento

13

Loyola Marymount University came in at #13 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $41,113. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Loyola Marymount University

14

San Diego State University came in at #14 for communication & media studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 334 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $44,130 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,675 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at San Diego State University

15

San Francisco State University earned the #15 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 215 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from San Francisco State University earn around $40,790 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for San Francisco State University

16

California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for communication & media studies this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 625 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $40,251. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at California State University Fullerton

17

University Of California San Diego placed #17 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 228 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,046 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $14,568 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of California San Diego

18
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $39,000 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of San Francisco

19

California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 355 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,172 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $13,953 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at California State University Long Beach

20

California State University Chico landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 92 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $38,421 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,098. Read more about the communication & media studies program at California State University Chico

21

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 132 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $32,852 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,267. Read more about the communication & media studies program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

22

Saint Marys College Of California landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moraga. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 34 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $35,356. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Saint Marys College Of California

23

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 27 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

24
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. Get the full communication & media studies details for Pomona College

25

California State University East Bay placed #25 among the best communication & media studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 96 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $35,722. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for California State University East Bay

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
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
28
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
29
30
31
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
32
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
33
34
35
36
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
37
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
38
39
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
40
41
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
42
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
43
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
44
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
45
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
46
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
47
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
48
49
Pitzer College crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA
50
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 176 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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