College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2022 Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies

282 Colleges in the United States
6,503 Associate Degrees
$20,800 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #22 in popularity, communication and media studies is one of the most sought-after associate degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 282 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 6,503 associate degrees in communication and media studies during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Communication & Media Studies School for Your Associate Degree

Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies The communications associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies ranking is to help you make that choice.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for communication and media studies, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

Bachelor's Degrees in Communications
Master's Degrees in Communications
Doctor's Degrees in Communications
Overall Popularity in Communications

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for communication and media studies.


 

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for communication and media studies students seeking a an associate degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Communications Students Working on Their Associate

1
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
195 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Long Beach City College is a popular decision for individuals pursuing an associate degree in communication and media studies. Long Beach City College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Long Beach.

There were approximately 195 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Long Beach City College

2
SMC crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
188 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Santa Monica College if you want to pursue an associate degree in communication and media studies. SMC is a very large public college located in the city of Santa Monica.

There were approximately 188 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Santa Monica College

3
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
186 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Orange Coast College if you want to pursue an associate degree in communication and media studies. Located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a public college with a large student population.

There were about 186 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Orange Coast College

4
SBCC crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
178 Annual Associate Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Santa Barbara City College is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting an associate degree in communication and media studies. SBCC is a large public college located in the small city of Santa Barbara.

There were approximately 178 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at SBCC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Santa Barbara City College

5
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
137 Annual Associate Degrees
#5 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

There were approximately 137 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Saddleback College

6
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
131 Annual Associate Degrees
#6 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Bakersfield College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Bakersfield.

There were about 131 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Bakersfield College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Bakersfield College

7
125 Annual Associate Degrees
#7 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Pasadena City College is a fairly large public college located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.

There were approximately 125 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Pasadena City College

8
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
108 Annual Associate Degrees
#8 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons is a public college with a very large student population.

There were approximately 108 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at College of the Canyons in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from College of the Canyons

9
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
99 Annual Associate Degrees
#9 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 99 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Chaffey College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Chaffey College

10
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
98 Annual Associate Degrees
#10 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Moorpark College is a large public college located in the suburb of Moorpark.

There were roughly 98 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Moorpark College

11
97 Annual Associate Degrees
#11 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public college with a very large student population.

There were about 97 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Mt. SAC in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Mt. San Antonio College

12
El Camino College crest
El Camino College
Torrance, CA
92 Annual Associate Degrees
#12 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Torrance, El Camino College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

There were about 92 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at El Camino College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from El Camino College

12
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, CA
92 Annual Associate Degrees
#12 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

MiraCosta College is a large public college located in the large suburb of Oceanside.

There were roughly 92 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at MiraCosta College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from MiraCosta College

14
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
86 Annual Associate Degrees
#14 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

There were about 86 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from De Anza College

14
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
86 Annual Associate Degrees
#14 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

There were about 86 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Sierra College

14
86 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Located in the city of New York, BMCC is a public college with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for associate degrees in communication and media studies in New York.

There were approximately 86 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at BMCC in the most recent data year.

Associate students who receive their degree from the communications program earn an average of $17,000 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Borough of Manhattan Community College

17
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
85 Annual Associate Degrees
#16 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Fullerton College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Fullerton.

There were roughly 85 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Fullerton College

17
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
85 Annual Associate Degrees
#16 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Sacramento City is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Sacramento.

There were about 85 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Sacramento City College

19
82 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NM
#1 Best Quality In NM

Located in the city of Albuquerque, CNM is a public college with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in communication and media studies in New Mexico.

There were about 82 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at CNM in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate recipients from the communication and media studies major at Central New Mexico Community College get $2,900 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Central New Mexico Community College

20
Diablo Valley crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
81 Annual Associate Degrees
#18 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Diablo Valley is a large public college located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill.

There were approximately 81 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Diablo Valley College

21
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
71 Annual Associate Degrees
#19 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

There were about 71 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Foothill College

22
70 Annual Associate Degrees
#20 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a public college with a very large student population.

There were approximately 70 communication and media studies individuals who graduated with this degree at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from San Diego Mesa College

23
69 Annual Associate Degrees
#21 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Cabrillo College is a medium-sized public college located in the medium-sized suburb of Aptos.

There were about 69 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Cabrillo College

24
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
68 Annual Associate Degrees
#22 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Grossmont College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of El Cajon.

There were about 68 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Grossmont College

25
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
66 Annual Associate Degrees
#23 Most Popular In CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Cerritos College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Norwalk.

There were roughly 66 communication and media studies students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in communication and media studies from Cerritos College

25
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
26
26
28
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
29
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA
30
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
30
LaGuardia crest
LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

32
Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA

33
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
34
35
35
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
37
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
38
39
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ
40

40
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

42

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies award.

Rank College Location
43 Irvine Valley College Irvine, CA
44 College of San Mateo San Mateo, CA
45 Clovis Community College Fresno, CA
45 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
45 Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA
48 Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA
48 Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY
50 Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CA
50 Reedley College Reedley, CA
50 Fresno City College Fresno, CA
53 Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT
54 College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID
54 County College of Morris Randolph, NJ
56 Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA

Communication & Media Studies by Region

View the Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Communication & Media Studies is one of 5 different types of Communication & Journalism programs to choose from.

Communications Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Speech Communication 5,792
Communication & Media Studies 302
Communications 245
Other Communication & Media Studies 164

Majors Similar to Communications

Related Major Annual Graduates
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 1,306
Journalism 725
Public Relations & Advertising 430
Communication & Journalism (Other) 53

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options