Communication and Media Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Communication and Media Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding how messages are created, transmitted, received, and interpreted across diverse platforms and cultural contexts. This program equips students with critical analytical skills and practical knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of digital and traditional media.
- Media Theory and Criticism: Explores foundational and contemporary frameworks for analyzing media content, including the social, political, and economic forces shaping media production and consumption.
- Communication Technologies: Investigates the development and impact of emerging digital tools and platforms, from social media and streaming services to artificial intelligence in content delivery.
- Visual and Digital Rhetoric: Focuses on how images, videos, and interactive design influence persuasion, identity, and public discourse in online and offline environments.
- Media Ethics and Law: Examines legal standards, professional responsibilities, and ethical dilemmas in journalism, broadcasting, and digital content creation.
- Global and Cultural Communication: Analyzes cross-cultural communication practices and the role of media in shaping international relations, global identities, and transnational narratives.
- Public and Strategic Communication: Develops expertise in crafting targeted messages for organizations, governments, and advocacy groups across multiple media channels.
Communication and Media Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Communication and Media Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Communication and Media Studies degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Communication and Media Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Communication and Media Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Communication and Media Studies is found at University of Southern California (USC) (237 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (232 graduates), Full Sail University (125 graduates), Montclair State University (111 graduates), and Boise State University (BBU) (94 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,227 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
237 |
SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 32-35 |
Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
232 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
125 | N/A | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
|
111 | SAT: 940-1225 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
94 | N/A | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
80 |
SAT: 1240-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
79 |
SAT: 1100-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
78 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey |
Bachelor's
|
76 |
SAT: 1120-1270 ACT: 21-26 |
Mahwah, New Jersey | Public | ramapo.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
56 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of North Georgia (UNG) |
Bachelor's
|
49 |
SAT: 1020-1215 ACT: 19-25 |
Dahlonega, Georgia | Public | ung.edu |
| University of West Alabama (UWA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
46 |
SAT: 820-978 ACT: 17-22 |
Livingston, Alabama | Public | uwa.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 |
SAT: 1320-1480 ACT: 30-34 |
Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
32 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Public | neiu.edu |
| University of Akron |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
32 |
SAT: 950-1190 ACT: 18-25 |
Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Curry College |
Bachelor's
|
29 | SAT: 1020-1240 | Milton, Massachusetts | Private | curry.edu |
| Drew University |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 25-31 |
Madison, New Jersey | Private | drew.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 26-30 |
Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| New Jersey City University (NJCU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | N/A | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | njcu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYUH) |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 985-1191 ACT: 21-25 |
Laie, Hawaii | Private | byuh.edu |
| Emerson College |
Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 1250-1410 ACT: 30-33 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| County College of Morris (CCM) |
Associate's
|
24 | N/A | Randolph, New Jersey | Public | ccm.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
24 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Master's
Other Award
|
23 |
SAT: 1030-1180 ACT: 19-25 |
Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
22 |
SAT: 1510-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1190-1390 ACT: 24-30 |
Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Mitchell College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | N/A | New London, Connecticut | Private | mitchell.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Gardner-Webb University (GWU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 20-26 |
Boiling Springs, North Carolina | Private | gardner-webb.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1130-1300 ACT: 24-30 |
Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| Neumann University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | N/A | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 23-30 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | N/A | Turlock, California | Public | csustan.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | N/A | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 963-1228 ACT: 18-25 |
Mount Vernon, Ohio | Private | mvnu.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1040-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Willamette University |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1220-1430 ACT: 27-32 |
Salem, Oregon | Private | willamette.edu |
| Salve Regina University |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1160-1295 ACT: 26-30 |
Newport, Rhode Island | Private | salve.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Alabama A & M University (AAMU) |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 810-1060 ACT: 14-19 |
Normal, Alabama | Public | aamu.edu |
| Saint Leo University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | N/A | Saint Leo, Florida | Private | saintleo.edu |
| Morehead State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | N/A | Morehead, Kentucky | Public | moreheadstate.edu |
| Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | N/A | Branchburg, New Jersey | Public | raritanval.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 1000-1190 ACT: 20-28 |
Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 28-32 |
Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Hood College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | N/A | Frederick, Maryland | Private | hood.edu |
| Assumption University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | N/A | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | assumption.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1110-1410 ACT: 21-29 |
Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1170-1330 ACT: 25-30 |
Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| DeSales University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1090-1290 ACT: 24-28 |
Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | desales.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1110-1290 ACT: 22-27 |
Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Doctorate (R)
|
9 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 24-31 |
Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1140-1350 ACT: 25-30 |
Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Chatham University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1070-1290 ACT: 23-27 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | chatham.edu |
| Mercyhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | N/A | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
| Millsaps College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | N/A | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | millsaps.edu |
| King's College |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1060-1240 ACT: 19-25 |
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | kings.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 23-28 |
Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1040-1300 ACT: 19-26 |
Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Arizona Western College (AWC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | N/A | Yuma, Arizona | Public | azwestern.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1240-1410 ACT: 29-32 |
Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 840-1150 ACT: 20-27 |
Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1390-1510 ACT: 32-34 |
Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 970-1200 ACT: 19-28 |
Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| American International College (AIC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | N/A | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | aic.edu |
| Lees-McRae College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | N/A | Banner Elk, North Carolina | Private | lmc.edu |
| Lancaster Bible College (LBC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1080-1270 ACT: 21-23 |
Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | lbc.edu |
| Saint Francis University (SFU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 21-26 |
Loretto, Pennsylvania | Private | francis.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | N/A | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Beloit College (Beloit) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1210-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Beloit, Wisconsin | Private | beloit.edu |
| Maranatha Baptist University (Mbbc) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 980-1220 ACT: 19-27 |
Watertown, Wisconsin | Private | mbu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Other Award
|
6 | ACT: 19-26 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Howard University (HU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 |
SAT: 1100-1298 ACT: 22-28 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | howard.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 910-1170 ACT: 14-19 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Cameron University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Lawton, Oklahoma | Public | cameron.edu |
| Corban University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Salem, Oregon | Private | corban.edu |
| La Roche University (LRU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | SAT: 1055-1235 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | laroche.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
5 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| King University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Bristol, Tennessee | Private | king.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1290-1490 ACT: 28-33 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| Emmanuel University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Franklin Springs, Georgia | Private | ec.edu |
| Reinhardt University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Waleska, Georgia | Private | reinhardt.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 910-1140 ACT: 20-27 |
Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1180-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 22-28 |
Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| College of Southern Maryland (CSM) |
Associate's
|
4 | N/A | La Plata, Maryland | Public | csmd.edu |
| Lawrence Technological University (LTU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Southfield, Michigan | Private | ltu.edu |
| Molloy College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 24-29 |
Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
|
4 | N/A | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Central Baptist College (CBC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 925-1145 ACT: 17-22 |
Conway, Arkansas | Private | cbc.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1250-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Adams State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | N/A | Alamosa, Colorado | Public | adams.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1240-1380 ACT: 29-32 |
Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Communication and Media Studies programs
Which universities have the largest Communication and Media Studies programs?
Currently 127 accredited institutions offer Communication and Media Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Southern California (USC) (237 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (232 graduates), and Full Sail University (125 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Communication and Media Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,491 in 2010 to a peak of 3,297 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,273 in 2023-24. This represents a 9% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
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