2026 Best Communication Journalism Media Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Communication Journalism Media doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1525 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 build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 ranking of the best Communication Journalism Media doctoral degree schools in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $15,637. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Out of the 1525 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #2 spot. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
You'll be in good company at Cornell University, which ranked #3 this year. Based 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. Students borrow a median of $14,418 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on Cornell University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $20,499. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Out of the 1525 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #5 spot. Based 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. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $15,954. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $20,376 in debt. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #7 position. 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. University Of Southern California Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $18,978 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $23,250. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $21,176. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $22,450. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $22,677. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara
Michigan State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $24,430 in student loans. Read more about Michigan State University
Texas A And M University College Station placed #17 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $18,040. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Georgia came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,731 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Stanford University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $18,296. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
University Of Iowa placed #21 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,884 in student loans. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of California Davis came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Davis report
New York University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $21,500. More on New York University
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $25,000. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #25 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. University Of Nebraska Lincoln posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,567. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Journalism Media Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $14,338 in student loans. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $23,367 in student loans. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
American University placed #28 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $25,733 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on American University
University Of Arizona landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. University Of Arizona Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $20,330 in debt. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Syracuse University placed #30 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $26,379. See the full Syracuse University profile
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #31 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $22,017 in debt. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Graduates carry a median of $20,974 in student loans. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $21,038. Read the full report on Arizona State University
The University Of Tennessee came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,716 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,358 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Kansas landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,673 in student loans. See the full University Of Kansas profile
University Of California San Diego placed #37 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $14,568. Read the full report on University Of California San Diego
University Of Denver landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. University Of Denver Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Denver report
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $18,017. Get the full University Of Utah report
The University Of Alabama placed #40 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $24,992. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama
Washington State University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $21,059. Read the full report on Washington State University
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Colorado State University Fort Collins Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $23,028 in debt. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Kentucky landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. 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. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,038. More on University Of Kentucky
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Florida State University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,171 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on Florida State University
University Of Oregon came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. University Of Oregon Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $21,926 in debt. Read more about University Of Oregon
University Of North Dakota came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. University Of North Dakota Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $24,000 in debt. See the full University Of North Dakota profile
Boston University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $24,748 in student loans. See the full Boston University profile
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on Drexel University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $22,347 in debt. Read the full report on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Related Communication Journalism Media Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Communication Journalism Media Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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