Best Universities for Media Studies in North America

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in North America ranked based on their research performance in Media Studies. A graph of 1.89M citations received by 222K academic papers made by 596 universities in North America was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Columbia University

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#1 in the United States

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

2. University of British Columbia

Canada | British Columbia

For Media Studies

#1 in Canada

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
Founded: 1908

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

United States | Michigan

For Media Studies

#2 in the United States

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

4. University of Toronto

Canada | Ontario

For Media Studies

#2 in Canada

#5 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

5. University of Missouri - Columbia

United States | Missouri

For Media Studies

#3 in the United States

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

6. University of Texas at Austin

United States | Texas

For Media Studies

#4 in the United States

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

United States | Wisconsin

For Media Studies

#5 in the United States

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

8. New York University

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#6 in the United States

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

9. Stanford University

United States | California

For Media Studies

#7 in the United States

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

10. University of Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Media Studies

#8 in the United States

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

11. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

United States | Illinois

For Media Studies

#9 in the United States

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

12. University of Washington - Seattle

United States | Washington

For Media Studies

#10 in the United States

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

13. Ohio State University

United States | Ohio

For Media Studies

#11 in the United States

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

14. Pennsylvania State University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Media Studies

#12 in the United States

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

15. Michigan State University

United States | Michigan

For Media Studies

#13 in the United States

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

16. University of California - Berkeley

United States | California

For Media Studies

#14 in the United States

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

17. University of Pennsylvania

United States | Pennsylvania

For Media Studies

#15 in the United States

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

18. Cornell University

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#16 in the United States

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

19. University of California - Los Angeles

United States | California

For Media Studies

#17 in the United States

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

20. University of Southern California

United States | California

For Media Studies

#18 in the United States

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

21. Arizona State University - Tempe

United States | Arizona

For Media Studies

#19 in the United States

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

22. Indiana University - Bloomington

United States | Indiana

For Media Studies

#20 in the United States

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

23. McGill University

Canada | Quebec State

For Media Studies

#3 in Canada

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 37,888
Founded: 1821

24. Harvard University

United States | Massachusetts

For Media Studies

#21 in the United States

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

25. University of Maryland - College Park

United States | Maryland

For Media Studies

#22 in the United States

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

26. Yale University

United States | Connecticut

For Media Studies

#23 in the United States

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

27. Princeton University

United States | New Jersey

For Media Studies

#24 in the United States

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

28. University of Iowa

United States | Iowa State

For Media Studies

#25 in the United States

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

29. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

United States | North Carolina

For Media Studies

#26 in the United States

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

30. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

United States | Minnesota

For Media Studies

#27 in the United States

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

31. University of California - Santa Barbara

United States | California

For Media Studies

#28 in the United States

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

32. University of Arizona

United States | Arizona

For Media Studies

#29 in the United States

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

33. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

United States | New Jersey

For Media Studies

#30 in the United States

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

34. University of South Carolina - Columbia

United States | South Carolina

For Media Studies

#31 in the United States

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

35. Temple University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Media Studies

#32 in the United States

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

36. George Washington University

United States | District of Columbia

For Media Studies

#33 in the United States

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $42,723

37. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States | Massachusetts

For Media Studies

#34 in the United States

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

38. University of California-San Diego

United States | California

For Media Studies

#35 in the United States

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

39. University of California - Irvine

United States | California

For Media Studies

#36 in the United States

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

40. University of Illinois at Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Media Studies

#37 in the United States

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

41. Syracuse University

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#38 in the United States

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,651

42. York University

Canada | Ontario

For Media Studies

#4 in Canada

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 53,000
Founded: 1959

43. Georgetown University

United States | District of Columbia

For Media Studies

#39 in the United States

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,566

44. University of Pittsburgh

United States | Pennsylvania

For Media Studies

#40 in the United States

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

45. Northwestern University

United States | Illinois

For Media Studies

#41 in the United States

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

46. Simon Fraser University

Canada | British Columbia

For Media Studies

#5 in Canada

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

47. Duke University

United States | North Carolina

For Media Studies

#42 in the United States

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

48. California University of Pennsylvania

United States | Pennsylvania

For Media Studies

#43 in the United States

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

49. University of Florida

United States | Florida

For Media Studies

#44 in the United States

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

50. Texas A&M University - College Station

United States | Texas

For Media Studies

#45 in the United States

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

51. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

United States | Massachusetts

For Media Studies

#46 in the United States

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

52. Florida State University

United States | Florida

For Media Studies

#47 in the United States

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

53. University of Georgia

United States | Georgia

For Media Studies

#48 in the United States

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

54. University of Kansas

United States | Kansas State

For Media Studies

#49 in the United States

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

55. Western University

Canada | Ontario

For Media Studies

#6 in Canada

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 21,836
Founded: 1878

56. University of Alabama

United States | Alabama

For Media Studies

#50 in the United States

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

57. University of Alberta

Canada | Alberta

For Media Studies

#7 in Canada

#103 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

58. University of Kentucky

United States | Kentucky

For Media Studies

#51 in the United States

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

59. Johns Hopkins University

United States | Maryland

For Media Studies

#52 in the United States

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

60. Boston College

United States | Massachusetts

For Media Studies

#53 in the United States

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1488
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,559

61. University of Colorado Boulder

United States | Colorado

For Media Studies

#54 in the United States

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

62. Kent State University at Kent

United States | Ohio

For Media Studies

#55 in the United States

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 98%

63. Washington State University

United States | Washington

For Media Studies

#56 in the United States

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

64. University of Notre Dame

United States | Indiana

For Media Studies

#57 in the United States

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

65. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#58 in the United States

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Enrollment: 8,733
Male:Female: 32:68
Founded: 1961

66. University of California - Davis

United States | California

For Media Studies

#59 in the United States

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

67. University of Calgary

Canada | Alberta

For Media Studies

#8 in Canada

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1966

68. Emory University

United States | Georgia

For Media Studies

#60 in the United States

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $26,680

69. University of Virginia

United States | Virginia

For Media Studies

#61 in the United States

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

70. American University in Washington

United States | District of Columbia

For Media Studies

#62 in the United States

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $41,369

71. University of Oklahoma - Norman

United States | Oklahoma State

For Media Studies

#63 in the United States

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

72. SUNY at Albany

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#64 in the United States

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

73. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

United States | Louisiana

For Media Studies

#65 in the United States

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

74. University at Buffalo

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#66 in the United States

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

75. University of Ottawa

Canada | Ontario

For Media Studies

#9 in Canada

#141 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

76. University of Utah

United States | Utah

For Media Studies

#67 in the United States

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

77. Iowa State University

United States | Iowa State

For Media Studies

#68 in the United States

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

78. University of Victoria

Canada | British Columbia

For Media Studies

#10 in Canada

#148 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

79. University of Delaware

United States | Delaware

For Media Studies

#69 in the United States

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

80. Bowling Green State University

United States | Ohio

For Media Studies

#70 in the United States

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1095
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

81. Queen's University

Canada | Ontario

For Media Studies

#11 in Canada

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 30,386
Founded: 1841

82. University of Oregon

United States | Oregon

For Media Studies

#71 in the United States

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

83. University of South Florida

United States | Florida

For Media Studies

#72 in the United States

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

84. George Mason University

United States | Virginia

For Media Studies

#73 in the United States

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

85. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

United States | Tennessee

For Media Studies

#74 in the United States

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

86. Carleton University

Canada | Ontario

For Media Studies

#12 in Canada

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 9,109
Founded: 1942

87. University of California - Riverside

United States | California

For Media Studies

#75 in the United States

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $22,042
Enrollment: 26,809

88. Stony Brook University

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#76 in the United States

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

89. University of Hawaii at Manoa

United States | Hawaii

For Media Studies

#77 in the United States

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 80%

90. Northeastern University

United States | Massachusetts

For Media Studies

#78 in the United States

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $35,827

91. Georgia State University

United States | Georgia

For Media Studies

#79 in the United States

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

92. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

United States | Virginia

For Media Studies

#80 in the United States

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 71%

93. University of Houston

United States | Texas

For Media Studies

#81 in the United States

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

94. University of California - Santa Cruz

United States | California

For Media Studies

#82 in the United States

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $21,202
Enrollment: 19,478

95. Carnegie Mellon University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Media Studies

#83 in the United States

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

96. Brigham Young University - Provo

United States | Utah

For Media Studies

#84 in the United States

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

97. Boston University

United States | Massachusetts

For Media Studies

#85 in the United States

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

98. New School

United States | New York State

For Media Studies

#86 in the United States

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Net Price: $55,480
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $21,504

99. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

United States | Wisconsin

For Media Studies

#87 in the United States

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 85%
Average Aid: $5,963

100. Dartmouth College

United States | New Hampshire

For Media Studies

#88 in the United States

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,208

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in North America

Anthropology1028

Archaeology1392

Broadcast Journalism318

Classics and Ancient History792

Communications and Public Relations860

Criminology and Criminal Justice557

Early Childhood Education431

Education Majors1108

Forensic Science242

Gender Studies752

Human Rights Law299

Intellectual Property and Patent Law283

International Law286

International Relations and Diplomacy326

Journalism and Digital Media377

Law Enforcement395

Library and Information science966

Linguistics1330

Military science480

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution318

Occupational Safety and Health340

Political Economy437

Political Science1686

Public Policy / Administration508

Radio and Television broadcasting317

Special Education395

Sports / Exercise science319

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies1150

Urban and Regional planning220