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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

53 Colleges in the United States
6,241 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,018 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 137 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 the Southwest 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.

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 34 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $70,632 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Southern Methodist University

2

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 194 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,848. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Students looking for a strong communication & media studies program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #3. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 646 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,295 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,782 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Texas A And M University College Station

4

University Of Arizona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 229 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Arizona earn around $42,993 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of Arizona

5

Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & media studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 218 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $43,740. Students borrow a median of $23,860 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Baylor University

6

Texas Christian University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 154 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $32,123 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Texas Christian University

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 17 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337. Get the full communication & media studies details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

Arizona State University came in at #8 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 370 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $56,309 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full communication & media studies details for Arizona State University

9

Austin Community College District earned the #9 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. About 25 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Austin Community College District

10

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 93 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $45,009. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

11

University Of Houston came in at #11 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 56 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Houston earn around $37,958 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for University Of Houston

12

Texas Tech University placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Texas Tech University awarded about 311 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $40,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Texas Tech University

13
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Trinity University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Trinity University earn a median of $34,589 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Trinity University

14

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. About 598 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $50,004. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Arizona State University Skysong

15

University Of North Texas landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 87 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $49,157 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of North Texas

16

Northern Arizona University landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 93 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $41,491 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,375. Get the full communication & media studies details for Northern Arizona University

17

Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #17 position for communication & media studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. About 13 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University

18

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 151 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $43,500. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Texas State University San Marcos

19

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #19 for communication & media studies this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 251 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $32,990 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

20

Abilene Christian University came in at #20 for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 24 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Abilene Christian University

21
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University came in at #21 for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $35,715 early in their careers. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $22,368 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Tarleton State University

22

University Of Tulsa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 12 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Tulsa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Tulsa earn around $27,612 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Tulsa graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Tulsa

23

West Texas A And M University came in at #23 for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Canyon. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 21 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,515 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,333. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from West Texas A And M University

24
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX

Austin College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Austin College graduates 67% of students within six years. About 10 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Austin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $32,287 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,264 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Austin College

25

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. About 62 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $34,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for Central New Mexico Community College

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
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
36
37
38
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
47
48
49
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for communication & media studies:

Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State

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View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 137 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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