Best Programs and Schools for Communications Majors
Higher Education Articles February 13, 2015Get information about the top colleges for communication majors and their rankings, location and contact information, and different degree opportunities.
University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia
Benjamin Franklin established the University of Pennsylvania, a private university, in the 18th century. In 2010, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the university fourth on its list of top universities in the United States. An undergraduate communications major is offered by the Annenberg School for Communications, which is widely acclaimed for its graduate programs.
After they complete foundational courses, students may choose from numerous concentration areas of study, including communications and public service, media studies, political communications, and health communications. A partnership with the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Design can help students to pursue a major in digital media design.
Contact Information:
•Address: One College Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104
•Phone: (215) 898-5000
The University of Texas – Austin
In 2010, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the academically acclaimed University of Texas at Austin 47th on its list of top universities in the United States; in 2009, Kiplinger gave the university the 25th place on a list of best value in public colleges. The College of Communications comprises numerous departments, wherein various undergraduate majors, including radio-television-film, journalism, communication sciences, public relations, and advertising, are offered.
A minor may also be chosen in another department by students that may otherwise choose to complete one of numerous interdisciplinary certificate programs that other UT Austin colleges offer.
Contact Information:
•Address: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
•Phone: (512) 471-3434
List of Top Schools Offering Communications Programs
| College/University Name | Distinction | School Location |
| Michigan State University | Michigan State’s undergraduate specializations include sales communication, public relations, information and communications technology development, and documentary studies | East Lansing, MI |
| New York University | Degree offering via NYU’s Department of Media, Culture and Communication (MCC) include a combined MCC/Global Public Health major | New York, NY |
| Northwestern University | Northwestern’s School of Communications offers different undergraduate degrees, such as health communications, children and communications, and communication studies | Evanston, IL |
| Purdue University (Main Campus) | The Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University is housed in the $28 million Beering Hall and includes an interactive research lab and multimedia equipment | West Lafayette, IN |
| University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign | At the University of Illinois there are over 1,000 students studying communications, focusing on specializations such as interpersonal communications, mediated communication, communication and culture, and communication and health | Champaign, IL |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | Those pursuing communications majors have plenty of options including an honors program that allows qualified students to complete a senior thesis and research project | Ann Arbor, MI |
| University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania has centers dedicated to subsets of communications, including communication neurosciences, visual communications, culture and communications, and global communications studies | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of Texas – Austin | University of Texas – Austin offer students who are enrolled in communications program an opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles, so they can experience firsthand in the entertainment industry | Austin, TX |
| University of Wisconsin – Madison | Students at University of Wisconsin who are pursuing a degree through the Department of Communication Arts may take advantage of study abroad and internship programs, along with student newspaper, student radio station, advertising club, and a public relations society | Madison, WI |
