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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in District of Columbia

4 Colleges in the United States
127 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$43,050 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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 District of Columbia

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
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

Our analysis ranked American University the best school in the country for a degree in communication & media studies. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 81 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from American University earn around $52,640 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,611. Read more about the communication & media studies program at American University

2

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 22 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from George Washington University earn around $50,552 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for George Washington University

3

Catholic University Of America came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $43,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Catholic University Of America

4
Gallaudet University crest
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gallaudet University awarded about 11 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Gallaudet University generally make around $25,747. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Gallaudet University

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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 · 7 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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