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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Virginia

12 Colleges in the United States
1,966 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$44,437 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools to find the best for communication & media studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall communication & media studies education in Virginia.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 126 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $47,368 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 442 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,502 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for James Madison University

3

A rank of #3 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 126 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $63,131 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for George Mason University

4

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 261 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $44,309 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,613 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 47 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,825. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Mary Washington

6

Christopher Newport University landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. Christopher Newport University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 102 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $36,953. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Christopher Newport University

7

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 202 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $35,808 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Virginia Commonwealth University

8

Old Dominion University came in at #8 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 10 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Old Dominion University

9
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $36,062 in their early career. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Longwood University

10
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Marymount University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Marymount University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $58,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Marymount University

11
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #11 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Radford University awarded about 41 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Radford University earn a median of $38,038 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. See the full communication & media studies program report for Radford University

12
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 305 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Liberty University earn around $39,116 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full communication & media studies program report for Liberty University

13

Randolph Macon College landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies this year. Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 23 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Macon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $40,328. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Randolph Macon College

14

Emory And Henry College came in at #14 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 11 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Emory And Henry College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $47,255. Typical student debt for the program is $26,938. Get the full communication & media studies details for Emory And Henry College

15
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of $36,220 early in their careers. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Roanoke College

16
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College came in at #16 for communication & media studies this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 16 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Lynchburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $107,159 in their early career. Get the full communication & media studies details for Lynchburg College

17
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College placed #17 among the best communication & media studies schools. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bridgewater College awarded about 15 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Bridgewater College earn around $29,477 in the first couple years of their career. Bridgewater College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Bridgewater College

18

John Tyler Community College earned the #18 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. About 11 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at John Tyler Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $36,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for John Tyler Community College

19
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #19 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Regent University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $52,175 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Regent University

20

Virginia State University placed #20 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Virginia State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $23,897 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for Virginia State University

21

Virginia Union University came in at #21 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 15 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Union University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Virginia Union University earn around $18,076 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Virginia Union University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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