2026 Best Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Communication Journalism Media master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1525 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Georgetown University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. More on Georgetown University
You'll be in good company at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $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
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $15,637 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
The strong Communication Journalism Media programs at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. 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. More on Johns Hopkins University
The strong Communication Journalism Media programs at Cornell University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,418 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on Cornell University
Northwestern University placed #6 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $15,954 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full Northwestern University report
University Of Iowa landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,884. Get the full University Of Iowa report
Drake University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full Drake University profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,338 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. 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. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $18,500. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,456 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full Villanova University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $22,677 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Gonzaga University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $26,038. See the full Gonzaga University profile
George Washington University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. George Washington University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $23,862 in debt. Get the full George Washington University report
Fairfield University placed #17 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fairfield, CT. Fairfield University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $27,000. Read more about Fairfield University
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #18 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. 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. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,450. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full Stanford University profile
University Of Delaware landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,000. Read more about University Of Delaware
Southern Methodist University placed #21 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Southern Methodist University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $19,663 in debt. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,375. Read more about University Of Dayton
University Of Missouri Columbia did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $20,974. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $18,978 in student loans. Read more about University Of Southern California
James Madison University placed #25 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. James Madison University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $21,502 in debt. Read more about James Madison University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Saint Bonaventure University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Saint Bonaventure, NY, Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $41,735. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $26,845. Get the full Saint Bonaventure University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $23,258. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Texas Christian University ranked #28 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Texas Christian University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $23,756 in debt. Read more about Texas Christian University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $20,613. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #30 in this year's ranking. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $18,040. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of San Francisco landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $23,250. Read more about University Of San Francisco
South Dakota State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,825 in student loans. See the full South Dakota State University profile
Wake Forest University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Wake Forest University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
Temple University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,908. Read the full report on Temple University
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
Iowa State University placed #37 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,897 in student loans. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of Kansas landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,673. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #39 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,567 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $13,000. See the full University Of California Davis profile
Chapman University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Chapman University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $22,323 in debt. See the full Chapman University profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #42 in this year's ranking. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,000. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Kent State University At Kent came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Kent State University At Kent Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $25,081 in debt. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
Westminster College Utah placed #44 among Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, Westminster College Utah is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $43,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,454 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full Westminster College Utah profile
School Of Visual Arts ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in New York, NY, School Of Visual Arts is a private for-profit institution. School Of Visual Arts graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full School Of Visual Arts report
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #46 position. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $11,180. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
American University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Journalism Media schools. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. About 76% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,733 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Get the full American University report
Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Savannah, GA, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $27,000. Get the full Savannah College Of Art And Design report
Loyola University Baltimore did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Baltimore posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. See the full Loyola University Baltimore profile
John Carroll University came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Based in University Heights, OH, John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about John Carroll University
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 Doctoral 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).
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.