Top Communication Universities, Schools and Colleges in the U.S.

Students who are interested in studying communications have a variety of specialties from which to choose, from the traditional avenues of public relations, advertising, and broadcasting, to videogame studies and conflict analysis. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees can be earned in the field of communications. Read further to find offerings at some of the nation's top schools.

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Top U.S. Schools with Communications Programs

1. University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia

The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, has a long history of providing higher education. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Pennsylvania in a tie for the fifth best university in the country in 2012. The Annenberg School for Communication offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication. Courses cover a variety of subjects, including global communication, media and politics, and political communication. Study abroad opportunities around the world are available to students.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was founded in 1861 and is located 6 miles from downtown Boston. MIT is a highly selective institution that only accepts 10.1% of all students applying, and it tied for the fifth best academic institution in rankings by U.S. News & World Report for 2012. Formerly known as the Department of Film and Media Studies, MIT's Comparative Media Studies Department offers a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Comparative Media Studies. The curriculum offers a distinctive approach to the traditional study of communications, incorporating technology with courses covering videogames and digital worlds.

3. James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University was founded in 1908. The Princeton Review rated James Madison University as one of the best value colleges in 2012, and U.S. News & World Report ranked James Madison University as the sixth best southern regional university in 2012. The School of Communication Studies offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Seven program specialties are available, including conflict analysis and intervention, public relations, health communication and organizational communication.

Highly Rated Communication Programs

School Name Distinction Location
Cornell University Its student newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun, has been published since 1880 Ithaca, NY
James Madison University Granted a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society in 2009 Harrisonburg, VA
Johns Hopkins University Alumni jobs include positions like Communication Officer at World Bank Baltimore, MD
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Its School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences publishes monthly the photo-rich Said and Done Cambridge, MA
Northwestern University Graduate internships available at university newsrooms in both Chicago and Washington, D.C. Evanston, IL
University of California - Los Angeles Six alumni are Nobel Laureates Los Angeles, CA
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Lecture about the changing role of women in the Middle East presented by the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize Ann Arbor, MI
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Noted by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications as having a premiere reputation Chapel Hill, NC
University of Pennsylvania Doctoral program rated #1 in 'Mass Communication' and 'Political Communication' by the National Communication Association Doctoral Reputation Study Philadelphia, PA
University of Texas in Austin The College of Communication houses radio, television, and student publication services Austin, TX
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