100 Best colleges for Media Studies in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 2.98M citations received by 229K academic papers made by 589 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: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Media Studies

#3 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

3. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#5 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

4. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Media Studies

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

5. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Media Studies

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

6. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Media Studies

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

7. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Media Studies

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

8. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Media Studies

#10 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

9. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#11 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

10. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Media Studies

#12 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

11. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Media Studies

#13 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

12. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Media Studies

#14 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

13. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Media Studies

#15 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

14. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Media Studies

#16 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

15. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Media Studies

#17 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

16. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Media Studies

#18 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

17. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Media Studies

#19 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

18. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Media Studies

#20 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

19. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Media Studies

#21 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

20. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Media Studies

#22 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

21. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Media Studies

#23 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

22. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Media Studies

#24 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

23. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Media Studies

#25 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

24. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Media Studies

#26 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

25. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Media Studies

#27 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

26. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Media Studies

#29 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

27. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Media Studies

#30 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

28. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Media Studies

#31 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

29. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Media Studies

#32 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

30. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Media Studies

#33 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

31. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Media Studies

#34 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

32. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#35 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

33. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Media Studies

#36 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

34. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Media Studies

#37 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

35. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Media Studies

#39 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

36. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#40 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,083

37. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Media Studies

#41 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

38. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#42 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

39. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Media Studies

#43 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

40. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Media Studies

#44 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

41. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Media Studies

#46 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

42. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Media Studies

#47 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

43. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Media Studies

#48 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

44. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Media Studies

#50 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

45. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Media Studies

#51 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

46. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Media Studies

#52 in North America

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

47. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Media Studies

#53 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

48. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Media Studies

#55 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

49. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Media Studies

#56 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

50. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Media Studies

#57 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

51. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Media Studies

#58 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

52. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Media Studies

#59 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

53. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Media Studies

#60 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

54. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Media Studies

#62 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 88%

55. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Media Studies

#63 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

56. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Media Studies

#64 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

57. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Media Studies

#66 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

58. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#68 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,519

59. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#70 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 9,536
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1961

60. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Media Studies

#71 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

61. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Media Studies

#72 in North America

#143 in the World

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

62. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#73 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,676

63. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Media Studies

#74 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

64. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Media Studies

#75 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

65. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Media Studies

#76 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

66. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Media Studies

#77 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

67. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Media Studies

#78 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 99%

68. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Media Studies

#81 in North America

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

69. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Media Studies

#82 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

70. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Media Studies

#83 in North America

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

71. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Media Studies

#84 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

72. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Media Studies

#85 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

73. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Media Studies

#86 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

74. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Media Studies

#87 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

75. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Media Studies

#88 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

76. John Brown University

Arkansas | Siloam Springs

For Media Studies

#89 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1205
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $21,537

77. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Media Studies

#90 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

78. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Media Studies

#91 in North America

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $11,210
Enrollment: 17,560

79. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#93 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

80. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Media Studies

#94 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

81. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Media Studies

#95 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

82. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Media Studies

#96 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

83. Kent State University at Kent

Ohio | Kent

For Media Studies

#97 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%

84. New School

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#98 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Net Price: $67,224
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $22,174

85. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#99 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

86. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Media Studies

#100 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1187
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 76%

87. California State University - Long Beach

California | Long Beach

For Media Studies

#102 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $11,795
Enrollment: 42,003

88. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Media Studies

#103 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

89. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Media Studies

#104 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

90. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Media Studies

#105 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

91. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Media Studies

#106 in North America

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

92. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Media Studies

#107 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

93. Miami University - Oxford

Ohio | Oxford

For Media Studies

#109 in North America

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

94. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#110 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $48,190

95. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Media Studies

#111 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

96. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Media Studies

#112 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $6,347

97. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Media Studies

#113 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

98. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Media Studies

#114 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

99. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#115 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,147

100. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Media Studies

#116 in North America

#233 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Receiving Aid: 62%
Average Aid: $12,053
Enrollment: 41,137

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 Madison.