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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Instructional Media Design Master’s Degree Schools

87 Colleges in the United States
5,941 Instructional Media Design Degrees Awarded
$59,100 Avg Early-Career Salary

Instructional Media Design 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 385 schools to find the best for instructional media design students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Instructional Media Design in the United States

Below are the best instructional media design schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Instructional Media Design

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

No school ranked higher than New York University this year for instructional media design. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Get the full instructional media design details for New York University

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for instructional media design. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 143 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $90,736. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full instructional media design details for Harvard University

3

Concordia University Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. About 43 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Concordia University Irvine earn around $86,662 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Get the full instructional media design details for Concordia University Irvine

4
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for instructional media design. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. Read more about the instructional media design program at University Of Pennsylvania

5

California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best instructional media design schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 129 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $78,229 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. Read more about the instructional media design program at California State University Fullerton

6
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #6 for instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Florida State University earn around $62,599 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete this degree. Read more about the instructional media design program at Florida State University

7

California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the best instructional media design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $80,952 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Read more about the instructional media design program at California State University Long Beach

8

George Mason University came in at #8 for instructional media design this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 15 instructional media design degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from George Mason University earn around $78,324 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Get the full instructional media design details for George Mason University

9

Concordia University Chicago placed #9 among the best instructional media design schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Concordia University Chicago earn around $68,606 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in instructional media design from Concordia University Chicago

10

Johns Hopkins University earned the #10 position for instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 21 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $78,058. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Read more about the instructional media design program at Johns Hopkins University

11
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #11 position for instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 137 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $65,061 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree. See the full instructional media design program report for Towson University

12
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #12 spot for instructional media design this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 37 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Instructional Media Design graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130. More information about a degree in instructional media design from Syracuse University

13

University Of San Diego earned the #13 position for instructional media design this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of San Diego awarded about 24 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Read more about the instructional media design program at University Of San Diego

14

California State University East Bay ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best instructional media design schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 37 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from California State University East Bay earn around $74,406 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. More information about a degree in instructional media design from California State University East Bay

15

Texas A And M University College Station placed #15 among the best instructional media design schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Instructional Media Design graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $65,086 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Get the full instructional media design details for Texas A And M University College Station

16
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #16 spot for instructional media design this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 18 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $79,632 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Read more about the instructional media design program at Georgetown University

17

University Of Connecticut landed the #17 spot for instructional media design this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $58,784 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in instructional media design from University Of Connecticut

18

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #18 spot for instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Read more about the instructional media design program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

19

California State University Los Angeles landed the #19 spot for instructional media design this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $48,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430. Get the full instructional media design details for California State University Los Angeles

20
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best instructional media design schools. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 20 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. See the full instructional media design program report for Adelphi University

21

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for instructional media design this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 36 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. See the full instructional media design program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

22
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #22 for instructional media design this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 instructional media design students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the instructional media design program make about $82,830 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. Read more about the instructional media design program at National University

23
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University came in at #23 for instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wilkes University awarded about 119 instructional media design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Wilkes University earn around $64,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete this degree. See the full instructional media design program report for Wilkes University

24

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best instructional media design schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. About 18 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in instructional media design from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

25

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best instructional media design schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 instructional media design degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent year. Students who receive their instructional media design degree from Brigham Young University Provo earn around $74,972 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,184. Get the full instructional media design details for Brigham Young University Provo

Rest of the Top 50 Instructional Media Design Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s instructional media design ranking:

26
27
28
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
29
30
31
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
32
33
34
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
42
43
44
45
46
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
47
48
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
49
50

Additional Instructional Media Design Award Winners

These schools also stood out for instructional media design:

Rank School Location
#52 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
#93 University Of North Carolina At Wilmington Wilmington, NC

Honorable Mentions

A few more instructional media design schools worth a look:

Other Instructional Media Design Degree Levels

Explore the best instructional media design schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Instructional Media Design
Associate's Degrees in Instructional Media Design
Bachelor's Degrees in Instructional Media Design
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View All Instructional Media Design 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 · 385 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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