Best Colleges for Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies graduates enter a diverse field spanning journalism, public relations, digital marketing, and content creation. With an average starting salary of $33,481, graduates often see significant earning growth as they gain experience and specialize in high-demand areas like social media strategy or corporate communications.

When evaluating programs among the 676 schools offering this major, students should prioritize hands-on learning opportunities including internships, campus media outlets, and real-world client projects. Look for programs with modern facilities, industry-connected faculty, and strong alumni networks in major media markets. The best programs blend theoretical foundations with practical skills in emerging technologies, preparing graduates for an evolving media landscape where adaptability and technical proficiency are essential.

Schools Ranked

$48,177

Avg. Program Earnings

83.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$55,813	95.1%	private-nonprofit
2	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$54,581	96.8%	private-nonprofit
3	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$52,107	43.0%	public
4	Colorado State University Global Aurora, Colorado	$51,273		public
5	Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	$50,856	80.5%	private-nonprofit
6	Northeastern University Oakland Oakland, California	$49,868		private-nonprofit
7	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$49,868	90.4%	private-nonprofit
8	Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, Massachusetts	$49,868		private-nonprofit
9	Bryant University Smithfield, Rhode Island	$49,019	80.6%	private-nonprofit
10	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$48,041	95.9%	private-nonprofit
11	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$47,620	90.0%	private-nonprofit
12	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$47,473	92.9%	public
13	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$47,473	93.2%	public
14	CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, New York	$47,260		public
15	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$46,947	88.6%	public
16	Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	$46,940	91.0%	private-nonprofit
17	Fairfield University Fairfield, Connecticut	$46,673	83.8%	private-nonprofit
18	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, Virginia	$46,478	95.3%	public
19	American University Washington, District of Columbia	$45,980	78.5%	private-nonprofit
20	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$45,500	38.4%	public
21	Roger Williams University Bristol, Rhode Island	$45,175	66.6%	private-nonprofit
22	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$45,109	92.4%	private-nonprofit
23	New York University New York, New York	$45,037	88.5%	private-nonprofit
24	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California	$44,858	88.5%	private-nonprofit
25	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$44,610	80.3%	private-nonprofit