2026 Best Communication Media Studies Schools
Looking for the best Communication Media Studies programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1126 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Communication Media Studies Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Santa Clara University this year in the United States. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on this year's Communication Media Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $15,637 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
You'll be in good company at Northwestern University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $18,112 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern University
Out of the 1126 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #4 spot. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Out of the 1126 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Berkeley landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $11,180. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Wake Forest University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Wake Forest University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,418 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Cornell University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $20,376. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $20,500. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Boston College placed #11 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Boston College Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. See the full Boston College profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
College Of Saint Benedict placed #13 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Joseph, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full College Of Saint Benedict profile
Drake University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Drake University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $22,273 in debt. Get the full Drake University report
Villanova University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,456 in student loans. Read more about Villanova University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of Delaware ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. University Of Delaware Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Fairfield University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Located in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $27,000. See the full Fairfield University profile
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $18,500. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Texas Christian University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $21,500. More on Texas Christian University
Elon University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Located in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $23,250. Get the full Elon University report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $15,500. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
James Madison University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $21,502. Read the full report on James Madison University
Depauw University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depauw University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,070. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Depauw University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Media Studies Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Denison University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Denison University is a private not-for-profit school based in Granville, OH. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. More on Denison University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $19,500. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Dayton came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dayton, OH. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Get the full University Of Dayton report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #31 position. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #33 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $23,250. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Wisconsin Lutheran College did well this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $26,916. Get the full Wisconsin Lutheran College report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $14,928. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #36 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,613 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of Maryland University College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. This public school is set in Adelphi, MD. About 20% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. University Of Maryland University College Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $27,971 in debt. More on University Of Maryland University College
Lake Forest College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lake Forest, IL. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,402. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Lake Forest College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. University Of St Thomas Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report
University Of Kansas landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $22,250. Get the full University Of Kansas report
Furman University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Furman University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greenville, SC. About 79% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans. Read the full report on Furman University
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Central New Mexico Community College
Stanford University placed #46 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
Samford University placed #47 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Samford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $21,039. Get the full Samford University report
Northeastern University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Northeastern University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Get the full Northeastern University report
Loyola University Baltimore placed #51 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Loyola University Baltimore graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $27,000. Get the full Loyola University Baltimore report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $16,433. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #53 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Loyola Marymount University came in at #54 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Loyola Marymount University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
Michigan State University ranked #55 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full Michigan State University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #56 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Ashford University placed #58 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Ashford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 10%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,960. Graduates carry a median of $37,188 in student loans. See the full Ashford University profile
Best Communication Media Studies Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Communication Media Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Media Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Media Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Media Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Media Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1126 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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