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2025 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools

148 Colleges in the United States
10,005 Media Studies Degrees Awarded
Communication & Media Studies is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #82 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 148 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 10,005 degrees in communication & media studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School

Best Communication & Media Studies Schools Your choice of communication & media studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Communication & Media Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Communication & Media Studies Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Media Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Media Studies
Master's Degrees in Media Studies
Doctor's Degrees in Media Studies

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Communication & Media Studies in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the media studies degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Media Studies

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NC
391 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 391 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
220 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in communication & media studies. Michigan State is a very large public university located in the city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were about 220 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Michigan State University

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IL
38 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great option for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies. UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #41 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 38 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IN
455 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Any student who is interested in communication & media studies needs to check out Indiana University - Bloomington. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were approximately 455 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Indiana University - Bloomington

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
258 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 258 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of California - Berkeley

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CO

Located in the midsize city of Boulder, CU - Boulder is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 31 colleges for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were roughly 29 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Colorado Boulder

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WI
38.5% Growth in Graduates

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 13 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

8
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
93 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #61 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means The American University is a great university overall.

There were roughly 93 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from American University

9
Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In NY
40 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Marist is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. This college ranks 19th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 40 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Marist in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Marist College

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In NC
38 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Elon is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Elon. This university ranks 5th out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 38 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Elon in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Elon University

11
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In FL
270 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

UF is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #56 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 270 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Florida

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MN
31.6% Growth in Graduates

UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 19 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In LA
309 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Louisiana State University is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Baton Rouge. This university ranks 2nd out of 30 colleges for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were approximately 309 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In FL
131 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 70 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 131 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of South Florida - Main Campus

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In KS
75.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were roughly 4 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Kansas

16
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
99 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #135 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means DePaul is a great university overall.

There were approximately 99 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from DePaul University

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In CO
55.0% Growth in Graduates

DU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Denver. This university ranks 3rd out of 31 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were about 20 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Denver

18
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In NY

Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Syracuse is a great university overall.

There were approximately 8 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Syracuse University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In OK
33.3% Growth in Graduates

University of Oklahoma is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Norman. This university ranks 1st out of 31 schools for overall quality in the state of Oklahoma.

There were roughly 3 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at University of Oklahoma in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In GA
34 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 34 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of Georgia

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
62 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize suburb of Normal. This university ranks 8th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 62 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Illinois State University

22
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AL
45 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Auburn, Auburn is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were approximately 45 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Auburn University

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MN

Minnesota State Mankato is a large public university located in the city of Mankato. This university ranks 11th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 25 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State Mankato in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Minnesota State University - Mankato

24
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
42 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 21st out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 42 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from University of San Francisco

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MN
40 Media Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 33rd out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 40 communication & media studies students who graduated with this degree at St. Cloud State University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in communication & media studies from Saint Cloud State University

Rest of the Top Best Communication & Media Studies Schools

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Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Communication & Media Studies students that almost earned our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools award.

Rank College Location
30 Florida International University Miami, FL
31 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
32 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
33 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
34 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
35 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
36 Washington State University Pullman, WA
37 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
38 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
39 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
40 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
41 Brown University Providence, RI
42 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
43 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
44 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
45 Denison University Granville, OH
46 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
47 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
48 Iona College New Rochelle, NY
49 Texas State University San Marcos, TX

Communication & Media Studies by Region

View the Best Communication & Media Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Communication & Media Studies is one of 3 different types of Communication & Media Studies programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Speech Communication 37,397
Communications 12,166
Other Communication & Media Studies 3,287

View All Media Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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