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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

26 Colleges in the United States
1,620 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$36,788 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 84 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 80 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $53,022. Students borrow a median of $15,637 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 148 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 78 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. See the full communication & media studies program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

4
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 160 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $51,574. Students borrow a median of $26,456 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Villanova University

5

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 101 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Get the full communication & media studies details for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 159 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,051 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 18 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

8

University Of Scranton placed #8 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $56,861 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Scranton

9

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of California. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 42 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full communication & media studies details for Pennsylvania Western University

10
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Muhlenberg College awarded about 30 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $29,950 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Muhlenberg College

11
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University earned the #11 position for communication & media studies this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Josephs University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Saint Josephs University earn around $38,024 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,990. Get the full communication & media studies details for Saint Josephs University

12

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #12 for communication & media studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. About 26% of students finish within six years. About 12 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent year. See the full communication & media studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

13
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 77% of students finish within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 25 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $33,275 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,297. Get the full communication & media studies details for Duquesne University

14
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #14 for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 119 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,496 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,880 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Temple University

15
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College placed #15 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. Grove City College awarded about 17 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full communication & media studies details for Grove City College

16

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 77 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,840 early in their careers. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

17

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 86 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,957 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

18

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Altoona. About 16% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona in the most recent data year. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona

19

Pennsylvania State University Brandywine landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies this year. This small public university is located in the suburb of Media. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine graduates 26% of students within six years. About 11 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Brandywine in the most recent year. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Pennsylvania State University Brandywine

20

Alvernia University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Alvernia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $53,960. Typical student debt for the program is $31,900. See the full communication & media studies program report for Alvernia University

21

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for communication & media studies this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 37 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $35,999 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

22
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #22 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. La Salle University awarded about 50 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $36,127 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,924 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at La Salle University

23

Washington And Jefferson College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington And Jefferson College awarded about 10 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $39,584 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Washington And Jefferson College

24
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA

Albright College landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Albright College awarded about 10 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $31,704 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Albright College

25

Delaware County Community College earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Delaware County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Typical student debt for the program is $7,125. See the full communication & media studies program report for Delaware County Community College

Rest of the Top 37 Communication & Media Studies Schools

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

26
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA
27
28
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
29
30
31
32
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
33
34
35
36
37

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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 · 84 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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