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Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia

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2023 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia

15 Colleges
$34,656 Avg Salary
$28,225 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Communication & Journalism School for You

In 2020-2021, 2,555 degrees and certificates were awarded to communication and journalism students who went to a Virginia college or university. This makes it the #14 most popular major in the state.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 15 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia

The following schools top our list of the Best Communication & Journalism Colleges.

Top 10 Best Communication & Journalism Schools

#1

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

Our analysis found James Madison University to be the best school for communication and journalism students who want to pursue a degree in Virginia. JMU is a very large public school located in the small city of Harrisonburg.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from JMU carry an average student debtload of $21,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $440.

Full Communication & Journalism at James Madison University Report

#2

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia list. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from Virginia Tech carry an average student debtload of $21,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $444.

Full Communication & Journalism at Virginia Tech Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Randolph - Macon College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia list. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph - Macon is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from Randolph - Macon carry an average student debtload of $25,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $629, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Communication & Journalism at Randolph - Macon College Report

#4

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA

Out of the 15 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Christopher Newport University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Newport News, CNU is a public college with a small student population.

Communication & Journalism majors at CNU take out an average of $24,701 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $382.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Christopher Newport University

#5

Roanoke College

Salem, VA

The excellent programs at Roanoke College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best communication and journalism schools in Virginia. Roanoke is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem.

The average amount in student loans that communication and journalism majors at Roanoke take out is $26,391.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Roanoke College

#6

Marymount University

Arlington, VA

Marymount University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best communication and journalism programs. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Communication & Journalism at Marymount University Report

#7

Hampton University

Hampton, VA

Hampton University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia list. Hampton is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Hampton.

While working on their degree, communication and journalism majors at Hampton accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $745.

Full Communication & Journalism at Hampton University Report

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from VCU carry an average student debtload of $24,218. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $210.

Read More…

#9

Radford University

Radford, VA

With a ranking of #9, Radford University did quite well on this year’s best schools for communication and journalism students. Radford is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of Radford.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from Radford carry an average student debtload of $25,277. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $260.

Read More…

#10

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Communication & Journalism Schools in Virginia ranking. Bridgewater is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater.

After completing their degree, communication and journalism graduates from Bridgewater carry an average student debtload of $26,000.

Read More…

Best Communication & Journalism Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Communication & Journalism Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 3,754
West Virginia 547
South Carolina 1,359
Florida 6,024
Arkansas 946
Mississippi 878
Tennessee 1,671
Louisiana 1,031
Alabama 1,832
Kentucky 1,560
Georgia 3,112

Communication & Journalism Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 66,787
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 17,669
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

Related Major Annual Graduates
Education 327,871
Social Sciences 205,984
Psychology 195,678
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 15 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 Josh Hallett.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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