2026 Best Communication Media Studies Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Communication Media Studies certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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 evaluated schools to compile 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
You'll be in good company at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Out of the 1126 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Arizona State University landed the #3 spot. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. More on Arizona State University
Saint Cloud State University came in at #4 on this year's Communication Media Studies ranking in the United States. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. More on Saint Cloud State University
The strong Communication Media Studies programs at Full Sail University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Winter Park, FL. Full Sail University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,906. Students borrow a median of $31,211 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full Full Sail University profile
University Of North Dakota landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $24,000. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Kenosha, WI, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $26,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Parkside profile
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. 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. Get the full Central New Mexico Community College report
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, OH. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $24,063. Get the full Ohio University Main Campus report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,869 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Eastern Washington University did well this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Cheney, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Eastern Washington University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full Eastern Washington University report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Columbus State University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Columbus, GA, Columbus State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Columbus State University
Boise State University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,095 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Boise State University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $24,389 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Black Hills State University placed #20 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Spearfish, SD. About 43% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. See the full Black Hills State University profile
Academy Of Art University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $30,736. Graduates carry a median of $33,568 in student loans. Read more about Academy Of Art University
Southern Utah University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. This public school is set in Cedar City, UT. Southern Utah University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full Southern Utah University profile
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Saint George, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read more about Dixie State College Of Utah
Southeastern University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. See the full Southeastern University profile
Quinnipiac University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Quinnipiac University report
Western Illinois University placed #21 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. See the full Western Illinois University profile
Westminster College Pa came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Westminster College Pa
Galveston College placed #23 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Galveston College
Lesley University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read more about Lesley University
Northwest College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Read more about Northwest College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Media Studies Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
San Antonio College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Get the full San Antonio College report
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Alabama State University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. See the full Alabama State University profile
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. More on Bethel College Mishawaka
Luther College
Luther College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. See the full Luther College profile
Mid America Christian University did well this year, earning the #31 position. See the full Mid America Christian University profile
Palomar College
Palomar College placed #32 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. See the full Palomar College profile
Pepperdine University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Read more about Pepperdine University
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Get the full San Bernardino Valley College report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Read more about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Xavier University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. See the full Xavier University profile
Crafton Hills College placed #37 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Crafton Hills College report
Eastern University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. More on Eastern University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Read more about Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Shepherd University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. See the full Shepherd University profile
Transylvania University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Get the full Transylvania University report
William Carey University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. More on William Carey University
Bakersfield College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Bakersfield College report
Heidelberg University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. See the full Heidelberg University profile
Randolph College
Randolph College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Randolph College
South Texas College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. More on South Texas College
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. More on Suny Westchester Community College
Alcorn State University placed #48 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Alcorn State University
Barton County Community College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Barton County Community College report
Florida College
Florida College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. See the full Florida College profile
Related Communication Media Studies Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Communication Media Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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
This list is compiled 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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