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Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools

2023 Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools

289 Colleges
$23,317 Avg Salary
$13,029 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degrees and certificates, making the major the #10 most popular in the country.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 289 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Communication & Media Studies program at each school on the list.

Check out the communications associate degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Long Beach City College the most popular school in the United States for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the large city of Long Beach.

About 62% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 38% are male.

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#2

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Santa Monica College is a great place for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. SMC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Monica.

About 66% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 34% are male.

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#3

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA

Out of the 289 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Barbara City College landed the # 3 spot on the list. SBCC is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara.

Of the 156 students majoring in communications at SBCC, 35% are male and 65% are female.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Santa Barbara City College

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#4

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, CA

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Orange Coast College is a great place for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Orange Coast College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa.

Women make up 62% of the communications majors at the school.

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#5

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Chaffey College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular communication and media studies schools in the United States. Chaffey College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga.

Women make up 67% of the communications majors at the school.

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#6

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools list. Pasadena City College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Pasadena.

About 62% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 38% are male.

Communications majors at Pasadena City College take out an average of $13,844 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Pasadena City College Report

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With a ranking of #7, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public school with a very large student population.

Women make up 59% of the communications majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that communications majors at Mt. SAC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $9,222.

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#8

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA

With a ranking of #8, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Saddleback College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo.

About 62% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 38% are male.

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#9

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a public college with a very large student population.

Of the 119 students majoring in communications at Bakersfield College, 41% are male and 59% are female.

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#10

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 102 students majoring in communications at Fullerton College, 29% are male and 71% are female.

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Borough of Manhattan Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the city of New York, BMCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 66% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 34% are male.

Communications majors at BMCC take out an average of $12,189 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Borough of Manhattan Community College

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#11

El Camino College

Torrance, CA

With a ranking of #11, El Camino College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Torrance, El Camino College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 62% of the communications majors at the school.

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#11

Diablo Valley College

Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley is a public college with a large student population.

About 57% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 43% are male.

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#14

De Anza College

Cupertino, CA

De Anza College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 93 students majoring in communications at De Anza College, 34% are male and 66% are female.

Communications majors at De Anza College take out an average of $14,201 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Communication & Media Studies at De Anza College Report

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#15

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 56% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 44% are male.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Foothill College

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#16

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, CA

College of the Canyons ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 71% of the communications majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, communications majors at College of the Canyons accumulate an average of around $9,750 in student debt.

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#17

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, CA

With a ranking of #17, MiraCosta College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. MiraCosta College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Oceanside.

Of the 77 students majoring in communications at MiraCosta College, 23% are male and 77% are female.

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#18

Sierra College

Rocklin, CA

Sierra College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 76 students majoring in communications at Sierra College, 37% are male and 63% are female.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Sierra College

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#19

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

With a ranking of #19, Moorpark College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Moorpark College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark.

About 61% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 39% are male.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Moorpark College

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#20

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the large suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 69% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 31% are male.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Golden West College Report

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Central New Mexico Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. CNM is a large public school located in the city of Albuquerque.

About 72% of the students majoring in communications at the school are women while 28% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, communications graduates from CNM carry an average student debt load of $12,379.

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#22

San Diego Mesa College

San Diego, CA

With a ranking of #22, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for communication and media studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 68 students majoring in communications at San Diego Mesa College, 37% are male and 63% are female.

On average, communications graduates from San Diego Mesa College take out $7,303 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Diego Mesa College

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#23

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. Sacramento City is a fairly large public school located in the city of Sacramento.

Of the 66 students majoring in communications at Sacramento City, 44% are male and 56% are female.

Communications majors at Sacramento City take out an average of $14,181 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Sacramento City College

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#24

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree communication and media studies programs. Cuesta College is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.

Of the 64 students majoring in communications at Cuesta College, 33% are male and 67% are female.

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#24

Folsom Lake College

Folsom, CA

Folsom Lake College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for communication and media studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Folsom Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Folsom.

Of the 64 students majoring in communications at Folsom Lake, 47% are male and 53% are female.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Folsom Lake College

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#26

Los Angeles Valley College

Valley Glen, CA
#27

Santiago Canyon College

Orange, CA
#27

Montgomery College

Rockville, MD
#29

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA
#30

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA
#30

Cabrillo College

Aptos, CA
#32

Irvine Valley College

Irvine, CA
#33

West Valley College

Saratoga, CA
#34

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, CA
#34

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, UT
#34

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA
#37

LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY
#38

Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA
#38

Palomar College

San Marcos, CA
#40

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA
#40

Citrus College

Glendora, CA
#42

West Los Angeles College

Culver City, CA
#42

Union County College

Cranford, NJ

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Communication & Media Studies students that almost earned our Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
45 Glendale Community College Glendale, CA
46 Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA
47 Austin Community College District Austin, TX
48 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
49 SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla, NY
50 Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY
50 Fresno City College Fresno, CA
50 Cypress College Cypress, CA
50 Collin County Community College District McKinney, TX
54 Reedley College Reedley, CA
55 Full Sail University Winter Park, FL
55 Norco College Norco, CA
57 Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CA

Communication & Media Studies by Region

View the Most Popular Communication & Media Studies Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Communication & Media Studies is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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