Communication & Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1687 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for communication & journalism students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Checking offer "Communications & Media Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Communications & Media Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Communications & Media Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Communications & Media Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Communications & Media Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Communications & Media Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Communication" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Communication" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in Communication" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MA in Communication" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Communication - New Media" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Communication - New Media" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Communication - Public Relations" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Communication - Public Relations" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in Communication - New Media & Marketing" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MA in Communication - New Media & Marketing" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 9
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 3 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Choosing a Great Communication & Journalism School
The communication & journalism program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Communication & Journalism Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Communication & Journalism Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Communication & Journalism Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 school for communication & journalism. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 510 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong communication & journalism program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 279 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $89,444 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Georgetown University
Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in communication & journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 172 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Boston College earn a median of $55,162 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Boston College
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in communication & journalism, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 899 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 219 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $50,556. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 83 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,022 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $15,637 in student loans.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of California Davis came in at #7 for communication & journalism this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 265 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,569 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of California Davis
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for communication & journalism this year. 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 129 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism 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.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for communication & journalism this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 232 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $63,833 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for communication & journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 742 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $39,707. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the communication & journalism program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Johns Hopkins University landed the #11 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 262 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $82,754. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Johns Hopkins University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #12 for communication & journalism this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 618 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $46,598. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete this degree.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 44 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from University Of Chicago
Cornell University placed #14 among the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 84 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $62,182 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,418 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Cornell University
James Madison University landed the #15 spot for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 442 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Communication & Journalism graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,502.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from James Madison University
George Mason University earned the #16 position for communication & journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 133 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Communication & Journalism graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Get the full communication & journalism details for George Mason University
Stanford University earned the #17 position for communication & journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 45 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Stanford University earn around $69,670 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Stanford University
Southern Methodist University landed the #18 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 191 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $50,876 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,663.
See the full communication & journalism program report for Southern Methodist University
Wake Forest University placed #19 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 133 communication & journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Wake Forest University earn around $42,055 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full communication & journalism details for Wake Forest University
University Of California Berkeley placed #20 among the best communication & journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 284 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $46,112. Typical student debt for the program is $11,180.
Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of California Berkeley
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #21 among the best communication & journalism schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 261 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $44,309 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,613 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Northwestern University landed the #22 spot for communication & journalism this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 772 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $62,182 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,954 in student loans.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Northwestern University
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #23 spot for communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 716 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their communication & journalism degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $43,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,040.
More information about a degree in communication & journalism from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 326 communication & journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $42,478 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,499.
See the full communication & journalism program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among the best communication & journalism schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 409 communication & journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the communication & journalism program make about $45,633 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,450.
Get the full communication & journalism details for University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 Communication & Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & journalism ranking:
With an online bachelor's degree in communication you'll have the opportunity to pursue a multitude of career options. From journalism and social media, to public relations, advertising and mass media, earning your BA in communication will allow you to strategize and communicate your ideas.
Effective communicators are always in demand, no matter the industry. The Master's in Communication degree from Southern New Hampshire University is a cutting-edge program designed for forward-thinking professionals.
Explore the digital frontier as it relates to today's communications strategies with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
This ranking is produced 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 · 1687 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).
