2026 Best Communication Journalism Media Schools
Looking for the best Communication Journalism Media programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1525 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Journalism Media Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 Communication Journalism Media school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Georgetown University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. More on Georgetown University
The strong Communication Journalism Media programs at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $28,350. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
You'll be in good company at Santa Clara University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $18,500. Get the full Santa Clara University report
The strong Communication Journalism Media programs at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Students borrow a median of $15,637 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on this year's Communication Journalism Media ranking in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $13,426. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Wake Forest University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Wake Forest University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. See the full Wake Forest University profile
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $14,418 in debt. Read the full report on Cornell University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #8 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Berkeley came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Boston College placed #11 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $18,500. Get the full Boston College report
Northwestern University placed #12 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $15,954 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Joseph, MN. About 77% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,756. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on College Of Saint Benedict
Villanova University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Villanova University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $26,456 in debt. Read the full report on Villanova University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,499 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #16 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Drake University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about Drake University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #18 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $21,176. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Delaware ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on University Of Delaware
Lebanon Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $52,080. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read more about Lebanon Valley College
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Florida came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $17,358. See the full University Of Florida profile
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $20,974 in debt. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
University Of Southern California landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $18,978 in student loans. More on University Of Southern California
Fairfield University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. Fairfield University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Fairfield University
Elon University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Students borrow a median of $20,887 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on Elon University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Journalism Media Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,677. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $18,500. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
The Ohio Media School Columbus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in Columbus, OH, The Ohio Media School Columbus is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read more about The Ohio Media School Columbus
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $18,249 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
James Madison University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $21,502. Read more about James Madison University
Ohio Media School Valley View landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Based in Valley View, OH, Ohio Media School Valley View is a private for-profit institution. Ohio Media School Valley View Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $15,395 in debt. Read the full report on Ohio Media School Valley View
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $15,500. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Depauw University placed #34 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Based in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $59,070 in tuition and fees. Depauw University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Depauw University
George Washington University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. George Washington University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $23,862 in debt. Read the full report on George Washington University
Denison University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Granville, OH. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $25,187. See the full Denison University profile
University Of Dayton ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on University Of Dayton
Samford University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Samford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. Get the full Samford University report
Colorado Media School did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Denver, CO, Colorado Media School is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on Colorado Media School
Southern Methodist University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $19,663. More on Southern Methodist University
University Of Kansas landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Graduates carry a median of $22,673 in student loans. Read more about University Of Kansas
University Of Maryland College Park placed #42 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,450. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Marquette University placed #43 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on Marquette University
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,110 in tuition and fees. Wisconsin Lutheran College Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $26,916 in debt. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $20,613. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Maryland University College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $27,971. More on University Of Maryland University College
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $18,040 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #48 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,567. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of California Davis landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $13,000. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Lake Forest College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Lake Forest, IL, Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lake Forest College posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $27,000. Get the full Lake Forest College report
Texas Christian University ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Texas Christian University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $23,756 in debt. More on Texas Christian University
Best Communication Journalism Media Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Communication Journalism Media Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Journalism Media Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Journalism Media Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Journalism Media Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Journalism Media Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Journalism Media Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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 1525 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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