2026 Best Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Instructional Media Design doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 385 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Capella University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $35,998. Get the full Capella University report
A rank of #2 makes Lehigh University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about Lehigh University
A rank of #3 makes Towson University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Towson University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. Read the full report on Towson University
The strong Instructional Media Design programs at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Iowa State University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Read more about Iowa State University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about University Of Georgia
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #6 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
Syracuse University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $26,130. More on Syracuse University
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Northern Illinois University is a public school based in Dekalb, IL. Northern Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on Northern Illinois University
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $12,184. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Provo
Boise State University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Boise State University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $24,311 in debt. Get the full Boise State University report
Duquesne University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about Duquesne University
Kennesaw State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Get the full Kennesaw State University report
Indiana University Bloomington placed #13 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $20,542. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
Florida State University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $20,488. More on Florida State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #15 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $20,577. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Sam Houston State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Set in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Sam Houston State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $24,850. Read more about Sam Houston State University
Central Michigan University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Central Michigan University is a public school based in Mount Pleasant, MI. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $27,857. Get the full Central Michigan University report
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $25,213. Get the full Michigan State University report
Utah State University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $16,191. See the full Utah State University profile
University Of North Texas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Set in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $21,817. Get the full University Of North Texas report
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Wayne State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. More on Wayne State University
West Virginia University placed #24 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about West Virginia University
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #25 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. University Of Phoenix Arizona graduates 16% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about University Of Phoenix Arizona
Rest of the Top 50 Best Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Pepperdine University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Malibu, CA. Pepperdine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on Pepperdine University
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Ohio University Main Campus Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $24,546 in debt. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #28 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,056. Graduates carry a median of $36,416 in student loans. See the full Keiser University Ft Lauderdale profile
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #29 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Based in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. University Of Southern Mississippi Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
Idaho State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $24,640. Get the full Idaho State University report
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. See the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #32 position. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Grand Valley State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Grand Valley State University report
Missouri Baptist University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Read more about Missouri Baptist University
Saint Thomas University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Get the full Saint Thomas University report
Boston University placed #36 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Read the full report on Boston University
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Northwest Missouri State University
Mississippi State University placed #38 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Read more about Mississippi State University
California State University Northridge came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Get the full California State University Northridge report
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
University Of Sioux Falls ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. See the full University Of Sioux Falls profile
Northern State University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. More on Northern State University
Washington State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Washington State University
Merritt College
Merritt College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about Merritt College
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. More on Southwest Minnesota State University
Grand Canyon University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. More on Grand Canyon University
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Read more about Pennsylvania Western University
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Saint Cloud State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. See the full Saint Cloud State University profile
Saint Peters College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Saint Peters College report
Related Instructional Media Design Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Instructional Media Design Schools (All Levels)
- Best Instructional Media Design Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design 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 385 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.