2026 Best Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Communication Sciences doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 410 institutions 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 evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than A T Still University Of Health Sciences this year in the United States. Set in Kirksville, MO, A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full A T Still University Of Health Sciences report
A rank of #2 makes Salus University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Elkins Park, PA, Salus University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Salus University
A rank of #3 makes Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions one of the top choices in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Provo, UT. Read more about Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions
The strong Communication Sciences programs at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #4 place in the United States. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Northwestern University came in at #5 on this year's Communication Sciences ranking in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
University Of The Pacific did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stockton, CA. University Of The Pacific posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $18,500. Get the full University Of The Pacific report
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $13,975. Read more about Vanderbilt University
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #8 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. University Of Colorado Boulder Communication Sciences students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,214, while out-of-state students pay about $22,514. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $18,000. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in New Orleans, LA, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,356, with out-of-state students paying around $18,851. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $31,146. Read the full report on Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,086, while out-of-state students pay about $14,714. Students borrow a median of $23,106 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences profile
Texas Christian University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Get the full Texas Christian University report
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Communication Sciences students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $15,117. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Rush University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,751. Students borrow a median of $31,206 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. More on Rush University
Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Forest Grove, OR. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,374. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $26,170. Get the full Pacific University report
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
New York University placed #20 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $24,650. Read the full report on New York University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #21 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Cuny Graduate School And University Center Communication Sciences students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $21,500. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $25,952. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Case Western Reserve University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. More on Case Western Reserve University
Boston University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $25,232. Get the full Boston University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Purdue University Main Campus placed #26 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $19,500. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Kean University placed #27 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Union, NJ. About 47% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about Kean University
Kent State University At Kent came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Kent State University At Kent posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $21,500. See the full Kent State University At Kent profile
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Montclair State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Montclair State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $25,286. See the full Montclair State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $21,117 in student loans. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Western Washington University placed #32 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Western Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $17,500. More on Western Washington University
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #33 position. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. James Madison University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $19,975 in debt. Get the full James Madison University report
Michigan State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $25,213. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of Florida placed #35 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full University Of Florida profile
San Diego State University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full San Diego State University report
Arizona State University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $20,536. See the full Arizona State University profile
University Of Iowa placed #38 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students 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 $27,000 in student loans. More on University Of Iowa
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a public school based in Memphis, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,911, compared with $25,644 for out-of-state students. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center Communication Sciences students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. More on The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
The University Of Texas At Dallas did well this year, earning the #40 position. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. See the full The University Of Texas At Dallas profile
Towson University placed #41 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Graduates carry a median of $21,981 in student loans. More on Towson University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Communication Sciences students take on a median of $26,985 in debt. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. 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 $18,000 in student loans. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Loma Linda University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Located in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,960 in tuition and fees. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $27,000. Read more about Loma Linda University
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Missouri State University Springfield Communication Sciences students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
University Of North Texas landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Denton, TX. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about University Of North Texas
Auburn University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Auburn University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about Auburn University
Ball State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $21,000. More on Ball State University
Wayne State University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Wayne State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Graduates carry a median of $24,849 in student loans. Get the full Wayne State University report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro did well this year, earning the #50 position. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,699 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Related Communication Sciences Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Communication Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Communication Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 410 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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