2026 Best Instructional Media Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Instructional Media Design graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 385 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 arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Harvard University to be the best Instructional Media Design school in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Harvard University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Harvard University
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #2 on this year's Instructional Media Design ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $27,471. See the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System profile
Out of the 385 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Johns Hopkins University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. More on Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. See the full University Of Georgia profile
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
Clemson University placed #7 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Get the full Clemson University report
Western Washington University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bellingham, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $20,361. Get the full Western Washington University report
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #9 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $25,260. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Lehigh University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. See the full Lehigh University profile
Fairfield University placed #12 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fairfield University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about Fairfield University
George Washington University placed #13 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about George Washington University
Mayville State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. Mayville State University graduates 40% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Mayville State University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $27,464 in debt. More on Mayville State University
Saint Cloud State University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Cloud State University
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,307 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Get the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania report
Valdosta State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Valdosta, GA. Valdosta State University graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on Valdosta State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $22,337. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of West Georgia came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Carrollton, GA, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. More on University Of West Georgia
James Madison University placed #21 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. James Madison University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $21,218 in debt. Read more about James Madison University
Bemidji State University placed #22 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $25,819. Get the full Bemidji State University report
Syracuse University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Syracuse University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $26,130 in debt. Read the full report on Syracuse University
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Duluth, MN, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,778. The College Of Saint Scholastica Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $26,755 in debt. See the full The College Of Saint Scholastica profile
University Of North Dakota did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. See the full University Of Maryland Baltimore County profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Instructional Media Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
George Mason University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full George Mason University profile
California State University San Bernardino placed #28 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. California State University San Bernardino Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $15,149 in debt. Get the full California State University San Bernardino report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Kennesaw State University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on Kennesaw State University
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit school based in Berea, OH. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Graduates carry a median of $27,307 in student loans. More on Baldwin Wallace College
Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Set in Boston, MA, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,550. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $26,866. More on Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Appalachian State University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $21,992. See the full Appalachian State University profile
Towson University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Get the full Towson University report
Quinnipiac University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Read more about Quinnipiac University
Western Illinois University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,572. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $27,639. See the full Western Illinois University profile
La Salle University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $25,462. More on La Salle University
University Of Kentucky did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. University Of Kentucky Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Mcdaniel College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Set in Westminster, MD, Mcdaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,081. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $23,247. Read the full report on Mcdaniel College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
St Catherine University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,428. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $29,883. See the full St Catherine University profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Colorado State University Fort Collins Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $22,843 in debt. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Arkansas placed #43 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
Concordia University Chicago landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. More on Concordia University Chicago
Georgia State University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $26,091. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Boise State University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Boise State University is a public school based in Boise, ID. Boise State University graduates 59% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, 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. More on Boise State University
Georgia Southern University placed #47 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $26,500. Read more about Georgia Southern University
University Of Rochester landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. See the full University Of Rochester profile
East Carolina University placed #49 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $24,747. See the full East Carolina University profile
University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $25,033. See the full University Of Dayton profile
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $23,917. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design 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 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).
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