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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Texas

38 Colleges in the United States
3,785 Communication & Media Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,051 Avg Early-Career Salary

Communication & Media Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their communication & media studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 88 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 Texas

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

Top Schools in Communication & Media Studies

1

Southern Methodist University tops our 2026 ranking of the best communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 34 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Southern Methodist University

2

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,848 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Texas A And M University College Station is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 646 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $43,295 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $17,782 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Texas A And M University College Station

4

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,860 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Baylor University

5

Texas Christian University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 154 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $32,123 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Texas Christian University

6

Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 25 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Austin Community College District

7

University Of Houston landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 56 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $37,958 in their early career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Houston

8

Texas Tech University landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 311 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & media studies program make about $40,730 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full communication & media studies details for Texas Tech University

9
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University placed #9 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 32 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Trinity University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $34,589. Trinity University graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at Trinity University

10

University Of North Texas landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent 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. See the full communication & media studies program report for University Of North Texas

11

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #11 for communication & media studies this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Texas State University San Marcos

12

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #12 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 251 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $32,990. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for The University Of Texas At Arlington

13

Abilene Christian University earned the #13 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Abilene Christian University awarded about 24 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Abilene Christian University

14
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #14 among the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. Tarleton State University awarded about 75 communication & media studies degrees 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. See the full communication & media studies program report for Tarleton State University

15

West Texas A And M University earned the #15 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from West Texas A And M University earn around $43,515 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from West Texas A And M University

16
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX

Austin College landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies this year. Austin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sherman. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Austin College earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,264. See the full communication & media studies program report for Austin College

17

East Texas Baptist University came in at #17 for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Marshall, East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at East Texas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of East Texas Baptist University earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. East Texas Baptist University graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Read more about the communication & media studies program at East Texas Baptist University

18

Saint Edwards University landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. Saint Edwards University awarded about 42 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from Saint Edwards University earn around $31,117 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for Saint Edwards University

19

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 285 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $37,858 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,923 to complete this degree. See the full communication & media studies program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

20

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. Stephen F Austin State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 67 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $45,743 early in their careers. Stephen F Austin State University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full communication & media studies program report for Stephen F Austin State University

21

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Houston Clear Lake awarded about 32 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & media studies degree from University Of Houston Clear Lake earn around $28,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,829 to complete this degree. Read more about the communication & media studies program at University Of Houston Clear Lake

22

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University Of Houston Victoria

23

Dallas Baptist University placed #23 among the best communication & media studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dallas. Dallas Baptist University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 32 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent year. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $35,812 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,831 to complete this degree. Get the full communication & media studies details for Dallas Baptist University

24
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University earned the #24 position for communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Southwestern University awarded about 15 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southwestern University generally make around $34,050. Southwestern University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full communication & media studies details for Southwestern University

25

Sam Houston State University earned the #25 position for communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 197 communication & media studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $28,247. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full communication & media studies program report for Sam Houston State University

Rest of the Top 46 Communication & Media Studies Schools

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

26
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
27
28
29
30
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
31
32
33
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
34
35
36
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
37
38
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
39
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
40
41
42
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
43
44
45
46

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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 · 88 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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