2026 Best Communication Media Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Communication Media Studies graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1126 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Northwestern University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $18,112 in debt. More on Northwestern University
Out of the 1126 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Johns Hopkins University came in at #3 on this year's Communication Media Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Michigan State University came in at #4 on this year's Communication Media Studies ranking in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $26,750. Read more about Michigan State University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #5 on this year's Communication Media Studies ranking in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Southern California landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $17,702. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
University Of Kansas did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 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. Read more about University Of Kansas
Washington State University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $21,903. Read the full report on Washington State University
Appalachian State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full Appalachian State University profile
University Of Florida placed #10 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full University Of Florida profile
University Of Denver placed #11 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. University Of Denver posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. University Of Denver Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Denver report
University Of San Francisco placed #12 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. University Of San Francisco Communication Media Studies students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. More on University Of San Francisco
Bryant University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Bryant University is a private not-for-profit school based in Smithfield, RI. Bryant University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,677. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $27,000. Get the full Bryant University report
East Carolina University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Based in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read more about East Carolina University
Sam Houston State University placed #15 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Huntsville, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
University Of Kentucky came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Texas Tech University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full Texas Tech University profile
University Of Oregon came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. University Of Oregon graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Get the full University Of Oregon report
Auburn University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $20,675 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. Read the full report on Auburn University
University Of Central Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. About 78% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. The median Communication Media Studies program debt is $21,854. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
Liberty University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $23,250. See the full Liberty University profile
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full Texas State University San Marcos profile
Lindenwood University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Charles, MO. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete their Communication Media Studies program here. More on Lindenwood University
Northern Arizona University placed #26 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Northern Arizona University is a public school based in Flagstaff, AZ. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. See the full Northern Arizona University profile
Suny At Albany did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. Suny At Albany posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Graduates carry a median of $24,332 in student loans. Get the full Suny At Albany report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Media Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Florida Atlantic University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical Communication Media Studies student debt is $19,500. Read more about Florida Atlantic University
Grove City College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. See the full Grove City College profile
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
San Diego Miramar College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on San Diego Miramar College
Tompkins Cortland Community College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Tompkins Cortland Community College
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Warner University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Warner University
Winthrop University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. More on Winthrop University
Wright State University Lake Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. More on Wright State University Lake Campus
Temple University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Get the full Temple University report
Alvin Community College placed #36 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Alvin Community College
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read more about Pacific Lutheran University
Stanford University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. See the full Stanford University profile
Suny At Geneseo
Suny At Geneseo ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. See the full Suny At Geneseo profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #40 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Wiley College
Wiley College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. See the full Wiley College profile
Alabama State University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Alabama State University
Austin Community College District came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Austin Community College District
Lewis University
Lewis University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. Read more about Lewis University
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. More on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Media Studies schools. See the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College profile
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Waldorf College
Waldorf College placed #48 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Waldorf College report
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read more about Eastern Kentucky University
Hiram College
Hiram College placed #50 among Communication Media Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Hiram College
Related Communication Media Studies Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Communication Media Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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 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. Schools are scored on 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.