100 Best colleges for Media Studies in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Media Studies. A graph of 1.72M citations received by 194K academic papers made by 543 universities in the United States 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

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

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

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Media Studies

#3 in North America

#4 in the World

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

3. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Media Studies

#5 in North America

#6 in the World

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

4. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Media Studies

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

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

5. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Media Studies

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

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

6. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

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

7. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Media Studies

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

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

8. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#10 in North America

#14 in the World

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

9. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Media Studies

#11 in North America

#15 in the World

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

10. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Media Studies

#12 in North America

#16 in the World

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

11. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Media Studies

#13 in North America

#17 in the World

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

12. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Media Studies

#14 in North America

#19 in the World

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

13. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Media Studies

#15 in North America

#21 in the World

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

14. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Media Studies

#16 in North America

#22 in the World

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

15. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Media Studies

#17 in North America

#27 in the World

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

16. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Media Studies

#18 in North America

#28 in the World

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

17. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Media Studies

#19 in North America

#29 in the World

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

18. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Media Studies

#20 in North America

#30 in the World

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

19. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Media Studies

#21 in North America

#31 in the World

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

20. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Media Studies

#22 in North America

#33 in the World

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

21. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Media Studies

#24 in North America

#40 in the World

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

22. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Media Studies

#25 in North America

#41 in the World

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

23. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Media Studies

#26 in North America

#43 in the World

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

24. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Media Studies

#27 in North America

#47 in the World

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

25. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Media Studies

#28 in North America

#51 in the World

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

26. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Media Studies

#29 in North America

#52 in the World

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

27. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Media Studies

#30 in North America

#53 in the World

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

28. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Media Studies

#31 in North America

#54 in the World

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

29. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Media Studies

#32 in North America

#55 in the World

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

30. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Media Studies

#33 in North America

#57 in the World

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

31. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Media Studies

#34 in North America

#59 in the World

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

32. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Media Studies

#35 in North America

#60 in the World

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

33. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#36 in North America

#62 in the World

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

34. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Media Studies

#37 in North America

#63 in the World

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

35. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Media Studies

#38 in North America

#66 in the World

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

36. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Media Studies

#39 in North America

#68 in the World

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

37. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#40 in North America

#69 in the World

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

38. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Media Studies

#41 in North America

#70 in the World

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

39. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#43 in North America

#75 in the World

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

40. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Media Studies

#44 in North America

#76 in the World

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

41. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Media Studies

#45 in North America

#77 in the World

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

42. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Media Studies

#47 in North America

#80 in the World

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

43. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Media Studies

#48 in North America

#82 in the World

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

44. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Media Studies

#49 in North America

#85 in the World

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

45. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Media Studies

#50 in North America

#89 in the World

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

46. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Media Studies

#51 in North America

#91 in the World

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

47. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Media Studies

#52 in North America

#92 in the World

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

48. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Media Studies

#53 in North America

#96 in the World

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

49. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Media Studies

#54 in North America

#97 in the World

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

50. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Media Studies

#56 in North America

#102 in the World

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

51. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Media Studies

#58 in North America

#104 in the World

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

52. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Media Studies

#59 in North America

#107 in the World

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

53. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#60 in North America

#113 in the World

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

54. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Media Studies

#61 in North America

#114 in the World

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

55. Kent State University at Kent

Ohio | Kent

For Media Studies

#62 in North America

#119 in the World

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

56. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Media Studies

#63 in North America

#120 in the World

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

57. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Media Studies

#64 in North America

#121 in the World

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

58. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#65 in North America

#122 in the World

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

59. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Media Studies

#66 in North America

#123 in the World

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

60. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Media Studies

#68 in North America

#128 in the World

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

61. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Media Studies

#69 in North America

#129 in the World

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

62. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#70 in North America

#133 in the World

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

63. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Media Studies

#71 in North America

#136 in the World

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

64. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Media Studies

#72 in North America

#137 in the World

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

65. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Media Studies

#73 in North America

#138 in the World

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

66. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Media Studies

#74 in North America

#140 in the World

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

67. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Media Studies

#76 in North America

#142 in the World

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

68. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Media Studies

#77 in North America

#143 in the World

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

69. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Media Studies

#79 in North America

#150 in the World

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

70. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Media Studies

#80 in North America

#152 in the World

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

71. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Media Studies

#82 in North America

#155 in the World

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

72. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Media Studies

#83 in North America

#159 in the World

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

73. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Media Studies

#84 in North America

#161 in the World

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

74. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Media Studies

#85 in North America

#162 in the World

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

75. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Media Studies

#87 in North America

#167 in the World

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

76. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Media Studies

#88 in North America

#171 in the World

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

77. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Media Studies

#89 in North America

#172 in the World

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

78. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#90 in North America

#174 in the World

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

79. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Media Studies

#91 in North America

#176 in the World

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

80. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Media Studies

#92 in North America

#177 in the World

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

81. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Media Studies

#93 in North America

#180 in the World

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

82. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Media Studies

#94 in North America

#183 in the World

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

83. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Media Studies

#95 in North America

#184 in the World

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

84. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Media Studies

#96 in North America

#185 in the World

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

85. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#97 in North America

#187 in the World

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

86. New School

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#98 in North America

#189 in the World

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

87. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Media Studies

#99 in North America

#191 in the World

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

88. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Media Studies

#100 in North America

#192 in the World

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

89. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Media Studies

#101 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

90. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Media Studies

#102 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

91. John Brown University

Arkansas | Siloam Springs

For Media Studies

#104 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $20,997

92. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Media Studies

#106 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

93. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#107 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $43,943

94. Portland State University

Oregon | Portland

For Media Studies

#108 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $9,750
Enrollment: 21,609

95. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Media Studies

#109 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 84%

96. Miami University - Oxford

Ohio | Oxford

For Media Studies

#110 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

97. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Media Studies

#111 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

98. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Illinois | Carbondale

For Media Studies

#113 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1020
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 99%

99. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Media Studies

#114 in North America

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $9,934
Enrollment: 37,402

100. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Media Studies

#115 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

The best cities to study Media Studies in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are New York, Ann Arbor, Columbia, and Austin.