1,382
Ranked Colleges
66,787
Degrees Awarded
$31,000
Avg Cost*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Communications Major” ranking.
Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.
For this year’s “Most Well Attended Communications Major” ranking, we looked at 1,382 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in communication and media studies.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Communications Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Most Well Attended Communications Major
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Communications Major”.
Out of the 1,382 schools in the Most Well Attended Communications Major that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 777 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Cal State Fullerton
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Communications Major. Arizona State University - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 712 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Arizona State University - Skysong Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Communications Major. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 668 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Chapel Hill
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 580 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Out of the 1,382 schools in the Most Well Attended Communications Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 573 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full FIU Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Southern California landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 567 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full USC Communication & Media Studies Report
Michigan State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 543 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Michigan State University
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking, coming in at #8. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 492 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Sac State
Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 483 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Arizona State University - Tempe Communication & Media Studies Report
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 469 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara
University of Central Florida landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 470 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCF
With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 458 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington
Boston University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. Boston U is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 456 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Boston University Communication & Media Studies Report
James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking, coming in at #14. JMU is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 446 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full James Madison University Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 411 students in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Washington - Seattle Campus
University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 471 students in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M College Station
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 387 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSULB
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 367 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Northridge
University at Buffalo landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. This large school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 362 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University at Buffalo
Grand Canyon University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major list. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 345 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Grand Canyon University Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Utah landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. U of U is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 343 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Utah Communication & Media Studies Report
San Francisco State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 343 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at SFSU
East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Communications Major ranking, coming in at #24. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 345 students in 2020-2021.
Full East Carolina University Communication & Media Studies Report
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Communications Major list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 391 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus