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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Communication & Journalism in California

186 Ranked Colleges
$33,600 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Communication & Journalism is the 11th most popular major in the country with 116,994 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , communication & journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $34,306 and had an average of $24,240 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 17,619 communication & journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,856 and $22,106 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California” ranking looked at 186 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication & journalism. That schools that top this list have a program in communication & journalism in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The communication & journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California”.

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.

Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Communication & Journalism in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend John Paul the Great Catholic University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Escondido, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at John Paul the Great Catholic University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend International Technological University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full International Technological University Communication & Journalism Report

3
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia College Hollywood. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California. Columbia College Hollywood is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tarzana, California. It awarded 5 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Columbia College Hollywood

4

Out of the 186 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #4 spot on the list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 979 ’s communication & journalism degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Communication & Journalism Report

5
Westmont crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California

Out of the 186 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Westmont College landed the #5 spot on the list. Westmont is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 29 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Westmont College

6

California State University - Fullerton came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 835 ’s communication & journalism degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Communication & Journalism Report

7
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #7, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 542 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at SFSU

8
CLU crest
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

With a ranking of #8, California Lutheran University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 85 ’s communication & journalism degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 CLU Communication & Journalism Report

9
San Diego Christian crest
San Diego Christian College
Spring Valley, California

San Diego Christian College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Spring Valley, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s communication & journalism students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 & Journalism at San Diego Christian

10
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Chapman University
Orange, California

With a ranking of #10, Chapman University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. Located in Orange, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 188 degrees to qualified ’s communication & journalism students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. 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 Chapman University Communication & Journalism Report

11

California State University - Channel Islands came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. CSUCI is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 103 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at California State University - Channel Islands

12
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College of San Mateo
San Mateo, California

College of San Mateo came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. College of San Mateo is a medium-sized public school situated in San Mateo, California. It awarded 71 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full College of San Mateo Communication & Journalism Report

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 498 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Communication & Journalism Report

14

With a ranking of #14, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 601 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Communication & Journalism Report

15
Pepperdine crest
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Pepperdine University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. Pepperdine University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Malibu, California. It awarded 156 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Pepperdine University

16
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California

Holy Names University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. Holy Names University is located in Oakland, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 11 ’s communication & journalism degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Holy Names University

16
LIFE Bible College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, California

Life Pacific College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. This small school is located in San Dimas, California, and it awarded 5 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Full LIFE Bible College Communication & Journalism Report

18
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #18, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 158 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Marymount University Communication & Journalism Report

19
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 18 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Pitzer College

20
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. This medium-sized school is located in La Mirada, California, and it awarded 60 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Biola University

21

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking, coming in at #21. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school handed out 204 degrees to qualified ’s communication & journalism students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at CSUSM

22
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication & journalism degrees to 533 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 89%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at San Jose State University

23

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication & journalism degrees to 365 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Communication & Journalism Report

24
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California ranking. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 999 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Southern California

25

With a ranking of #25, Vanguard University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California list. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Costa Mesa, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 & Journalism at Vanguard University of Southern California

Rest of the Best 28 in Schools Highly Focused on Communication & Journalism Major in California

Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
28

Notes and References

References

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