Communication & Media Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 290 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & media studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the Southeast 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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 492 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,991 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 126 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $47,368 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,230.
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James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 442 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,502 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at James Madison University
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #4. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 126 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from George Mason University
A rank of #5 makes Wake Forest University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 133 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $42,055 in their early career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Wake Forest University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 261 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $44,309 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,613 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Clemson University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 20 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $53,834 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Clemson University
University Of Florida earned the #8 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 380 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,996 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Florida
Vanderbilt University landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 20 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Vanderbilt University
Elon University placed #10 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 18 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Elon University earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Elon University
The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 243 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $41,258 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans.
See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Tennessee
University Of Miami earned the #12 position for communication & media studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 47 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $57,234 in their early career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Miami
University Of Mary Washington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $43,243. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Mary Washington
Auburn University landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 125 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Auburn University earn around $35,929 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,675.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Auburn University
High Point University placed #15 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. High Point University awarded about 46 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from High Point University
Samford University came in at #16 for communication & media studies this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. Samford University awarded about 26 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Samford University earn around $39,690 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & media studies program report for Samford University
University Of Arkansas placed #17 among the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 187 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,165 to complete this degree.
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University Of Georgia earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 154 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $38,717 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Georgia
Furman University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Furman University graduates 79% of students within six years. Furman University awarded about 36 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Furman University earn a median of $41,766 early in their careers. Furman University graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Furman University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 201 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $39,889 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Alabama placed #21 among the best communication & media studies schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 228 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,351 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at The University Of Alabama
University Of Kentucky earned the #22 position for communication & media studies this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 247 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $39,311. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Kentucky
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. About 104 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $33,428. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $23,082 in student loans.
Get the full communication & media studies details for Tulane University Of Louisiana
Davidson College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 14 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & media studies program at Davidson College
College Of Charleston placed #25 among the best communication & media studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Charleston. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 187 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $36,903 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & media studies details for College Of Charleston
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Media Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong communication & media studies education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 290 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
