2026 Communications & Media Rankings

Best Colleges for Communications & Media

Data-driven rankings of 1,274 colleges excelling in Communications & Media programs

1,274
Schools Ranked
1,262
Full Data Rankings
12
Partial Data Rankings
26
Unique Programs
Rankings based on field productivity, program depth, retention rates, and institutional quality in Communications & Media.
View Methodology

Top Colleges for Communications & Media

Showing 1-50 of 1,274 ranked schools

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#1

Evanston, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
98.4 / 100
98.4
Field Productivity
3.4% productivity
98%
Program Depth
9 programs
97%
Retention
97%
98%

Northwestern University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 98, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 23,203 students with in-state tuition of $64,887.

Field productivity stands at 3% (98th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#2

Athens, GA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
96.8 / 100
96.8
Field Productivity
2.3% productivity
95%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
95%
96%

University of Georgia is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 97, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 41,615 students with in-state tuition of $9,790.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#3

Austin, TX

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
96.3 / 100
96.3
Field Productivity
2.4% productivity
95%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
96%
97%

The University of Texas at Austin is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 96, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 53,082 students with in-state tuition of $11,678.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#4

Boston, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
96.1 / 100
96.1
Field Productivity
2.7% productivity
97%
Program Depth
9 programs
97%
Retention
95%
96%

Boston University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 96, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 36,624 students with in-state tuition of $63,798.

Field productivity stands at 3% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#5

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
95.3 / 100
95.3
Field Productivity
2.6% productivity
96%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
97%
98%

University of Southern California is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 95, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 47,147 students with in-state tuition of $66,640.

Field productivity stands at 3% (96th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#6

East Lansing, MI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
94.1 / 100
94.1
Field Productivity
2.0% productivity
93%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
91%
92%

Michigan State University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 51,316 students with in-state tuition of $16,930.

Field productivity stands at 2% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#7

Madison, WI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
94.1 / 100
94.1
Field Productivity
1.8% productivity
91%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
95%
96%

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 49,605 students with in-state tuition of $9,644.

Field productivity stands at 2% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#8

Boston, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
93.9 / 100
93.9
Field Productivity
3.9% productivity
98%
Program Depth
14 programs
100%
Retention
88%
87%

Emerson College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 100th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 5,670 students with in-state tuition of $53,824.

Field productivity stands at 4% (98th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#9

Gainesville, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
93.8 / 100
93.8
Field Productivity
2.1% productivity
93%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
97%
98%

University of Florida is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 54,814 students with in-state tuition of $4,477.

Field productivity stands at 2% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#10

Fort Worth, TX

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
93.1 / 100
93.1
Field Productivity
2.8% productivity
97%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
94%
95%

Texas Christian University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 93, ranking in the 97th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 12,785 students with in-state tuition of $57,130.

Field productivity stands at 3% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#11

Elon, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92.9 / 100
92.9
Field Productivity
5.6% productivity
99%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
90%
91%

Elon University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 93, ranking in the 99th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 7,207 students with in-state tuition of $44,029.

Field productivity stands at 6% (99th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#12

Syracuse, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92.1 / 100
92.1
Field Productivity
3.9% productivity
98%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
91%
92%

Syracuse University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 22,948 students with in-state tuition of $61,310.

Field productivity stands at 4% (98th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#13

Eugene, OR

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
91.1 / 100
91.1
Field Productivity
2.7% productivity
97%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
85%
82%

University of Oregon is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 23,786 students with in-state tuition of $12,240.

Field productivity stands at 3% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#14

Hamden, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
90.7 / 100
90.7
Field Productivity
2.5% productivity
96%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
87%
86%

Quinnipiac University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 96th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 8,918 students with in-state tuition of $50,400.

Field productivity stands at 2% (96th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#15

Villanova, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
90.7 / 100
90.7
Field Productivity
1.9% productivity
91%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
95%
96%

Villanova University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 96th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 10,111 students with in-state tuition of $63,806.

Field productivity stands at 2% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#16

Orange, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
90.7 / 100
90.7
Field Productivity
2.0% productivity
92%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
90%
91%

Chapman University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 92th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 9,961 students with in-state tuition of $62,400.

Field productivity stands at 2% (92nd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#17

Washington, DC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
90.3 / 100
90.3
Field Productivity
1.4% productivity
84%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
97%
98%

Georgetown University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 20,392 students with in-state tuition of $64,896.

Field productivity stands at 1% (84th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#18

University Park, PA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
90.1 / 100
90.1
Field Productivity
1.7% productivity
88%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
92%
93%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 50,399 students with in-state tuition of $19,672.

Field productivity stands at 2% (88th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#19

Chapel Hill, NC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
90.1 / 100
90.1
Field Productivity
1.8% productivity
91%
Program Depth
4 programs
70%
Retention
97%
98%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 98th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 32,234 students with in-state tuition of $7,019.

Field productivity stands at 2% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#20

Oxford, OH

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
90 / 100
90
Field Productivity
1.8% productivity
90%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
90%
91%

Miami University-Oxford is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 94th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 18,618 students with in-state tuition of $14,052.

Field productivity stands at 2% (90th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#21

San Diego, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
89.8 / 100
89.8
Field Productivity
1.5% productivity
86%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
90%
91%

San Diego State University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 39,241 students with in-state tuition of $5,742.

Field productivity stands at 2% (86th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#22

Bronx, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.7 / 100
89.7
Field Productivity
2.3% productivity
95%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
88%
87%

Fordham University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 95th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 16,153 students with in-state tuition of $60,335.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#23

Boulder, CO

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
89.2 / 100
89.2
Field Productivity
1.9% productivity
91%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
89%
90%

University of Colorado Boulder is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 41,432 students with in-state tuition of $13,910.

Field productivity stands at 2% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#24

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.9 / 100
88.9
Field Productivity
1.5% productivity
86%
Program Depth
4 programs
70%
Retention
96%
97%

New York University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 57,335 students with in-state tuition of $60,438.

Field productivity stands at 2% (86th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#25

Washington, DC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.8 / 100
88.8
Field Productivity
2.5% productivity
96%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
86%
84%

American University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 96th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 13,019 students with in-state tuition of $55,724.

Field productivity stands at 3% (96th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#26

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.7 / 100
88.7
Field Productivity
1.1% productivity
74%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
97%
98%

Columbia University in the City of New York is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 35,279 students with in-state tuition of $64,526.

Field productivity stands at 1% (74th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#27

High Point, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.7 / 100
88.7
Field Productivity
4.8% productivity
98%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
84%
78%

High Point University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 98th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 6,052 students with in-state tuition of $38,748.

Field productivity stands at 5% (98th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#28

Lubbock, TX

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
88.6 / 100
88.6
Field Productivity
2.2% productivity
94%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
85%
82%

Texas Tech University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 40,773 students with in-state tuition of $8,935.

Field productivity stands at 2% (94th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#29

Philadelphia, PA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
88.6 / 100
88.6
Field Productivity
2.3% productivity
95%
Program Depth
13 programs
100%
Retention
83%
75%

Temple University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 30,205 students with in-state tuition of $21,023.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#30

Denver, CO

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.5 / 100
88.5
Field Productivity
2.1% productivity
93%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
88%
87%

University of Denver is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 93th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 13,387 students with in-state tuition of $58,032.

Field productivity stands at 2% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#31

Coral Gables, FL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.4 / 100
88.4
Field Productivity
1.4% productivity
85%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
92%
93%

University of Miami is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 93th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 19,593 students with in-state tuition of $58,104.

Field productivity stands at 1% (85th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#32

Washington, DC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.2 / 100
88.2
Field Productivity
1.0% productivity
73%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
92%
93%

George Washington University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 98th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 25,568 students with in-state tuition of $64,508.

Field productivity stands at 1% (73rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#33

Tampa, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
87.8 / 100
87.8
Field Productivity
1.1% productivity
76%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
91%
92%

University of South Florida is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 97th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 48,572 students with in-state tuition of $4,559.

Field productivity stands at 1% (76th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#34

Kingston, RI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
87.5 / 100
87.5
Field Productivity
2.2% productivity
94%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
84%
78%

University of Rhode Island is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 95th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 17,351 students with in-state tuition of $14,116.

Field productivity stands at 2% (94th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#35

Spokane, WA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.4 / 100
87.4
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
86%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
94%
95%

Gonzaga University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 95th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 7,306 students with in-state tuition of $52,540.

Field productivity stands at 2% (86th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#36

Poughkeepsie, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.4 / 100
87.4
Field Productivity
3.9% productivity
98%
Program Depth
3 programs
55%
Retention
89%
90%

Marist College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 6,452 students with in-state tuition of $45,330.

Field productivity stands at 4% (98th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#37

Athens, OH

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
87.3 / 100
87.3
Field Productivity
2.1% productivity
93%
Program Depth
12 programs
100%
Retention
82%
73%

Ohio University-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 100th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 24,937 students with in-state tuition of $13,746.

Field productivity stands at 2% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#38

Malibu, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.1 / 100
87.1
Field Productivity
1.3% productivity
80%
Program Depth
9 programs
97%
Retention
86%
84%

Pepperdine University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 9,545 students with in-state tuition of $65,990.

Field productivity stands at 1% (80th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#39

Indianapolis, IN

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87 / 100
87
Field Productivity
2.0% productivity
93%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
88%
87%

Butler University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 93th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 5,763 students with in-state tuition of $44,990.

Field productivity stands at 2% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#40

Milwaukee, WI

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.9 / 100
86.9
Field Productivity
1.5% productivity
85%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
91%
92%

Marquette University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 93th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 11,373 students with in-state tuition of $47,690.

Field productivity stands at 1% (85th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#41

Dallas, TX

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.9 / 100
86.9
Field Productivity
1.7% productivity
88%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
90%
91%

Southern Methodist University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 91th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 11,842 students with in-state tuition of $57,212.

Field productivity stands at 2% (88th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#42

Glassboro, NJ

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.9 / 100
86.9
Field Productivity
1.7% productivity
89%
Program Depth
12 programs
100%
Retention
82%
73%

Rowan University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 100th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 19,660 students with in-state tuition of $11,250.

Field productivity stands at 2% (89th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#43

Champaign, IL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.8 / 100
86.8
Field Productivity
1.0% productivity
74%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
94%
95%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 56,563 students with in-state tuition of $14,768.

Field productivity stands at 1% (74th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#44

San Jose, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.7 / 100
86.7
Field Productivity
1.3% productivity
81%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
86%
84%

San Jose State University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 97th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 36,062 students with in-state tuition of $5,742.

Field productivity stands at 1% (81st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#45

Norman, OK

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.7 / 100
86.7
Field Productivity
1.7% productivity
88%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
89%
90%

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 97th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 29,145 students with in-state tuition of $5,070.

Field productivity stands at 2% (88th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#46

Tuscaloosa, AL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.5 / 100
86.5
Field Productivity
2.0% productivity
93%
Program Depth
6 programs
88%
Retention
86%
84%

The University of Alabama is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 39,622 students with in-state tuition of $11,100.

Field productivity stands at 2% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#47

Pullman, WA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.5 / 100
86.5
Field Productivity
2.2% productivity
94%
Program Depth
11 programs
99%
Retention
80%
67%

Washington State University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 99th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 26,490 students with in-state tuition of $10,976.

Field productivity stands at 2% (94th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#48

Santa Barbara, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.3 / 100
86.3
Field Productivity
2.5% productivity
96%
Program Depth
2 programs
33%
Retention
92%
93%

University of California-Santa Barbara is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 86, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 26,068 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 2% (96th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#49

Provo, UT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.2 / 100
86.2
Field Productivity
1.1% productivity
77%
Program Depth
5 programs
81%
Retention
89%
90%

Brigham Young University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 86, ranking in the 96th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 35,074 students with in-state tuition of $6,496.

Field productivity stands at 1% (77th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#50

Columbia, SC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.2 / 100
86.2
Field Productivity
1.2% productivity
80%
Program Depth
7 programs
93%
Retention
91%
92%

University of South Carolina-Columbia is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 86, ranking in the 97th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 36,579 students with in-state tuition of $12,288.

Field productivity stands at 1% (80th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

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