100 Best colleges for Media Studies in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 2.84M citations received by 227K academic papers made by 584 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: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Media Studies

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

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: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

4. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Media Studies

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

5. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Media Studies

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

6. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Media Studies

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

7. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Media Studies

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

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: $17,998

9. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#11 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

10. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Media Studies

#12 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

11. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Media Studies

#13 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

12. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Media Studies

#14 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

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: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

14. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Media Studies

#16 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

15. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Media Studies

#17 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

16. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Media Studies

#18 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

17. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Media Studies

#19 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

18. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Media Studies

#20 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

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: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

20. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Media Studies

#22 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

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: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

22. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Media Studies

#24 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

23. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Media Studies

#25 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

24. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Media Studies

#26 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

25. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Media Studies

#27 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

26. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Media Studies

#29 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

27. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Media Studies

#30 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

28. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Media Studies

#31 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

29. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Media Studies

#32 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

30. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Media Studies

#33 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

31. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Media Studies

#34 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

32. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#35 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

33. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Media Studies

#36 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

34. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Media Studies

#37 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

35. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Media Studies

#39 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

36. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#40 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,967

37. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Media Studies

#41 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

38. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#42 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

39. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Media Studies

#43 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

40. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Media Studies

#44 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $51,520

41. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Media Studies

#45 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

42. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Media Studies

#47 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

43. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Media Studies

#48 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

44. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Media Studies

#50 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

45. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Media Studies

#51 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

46. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Media Studies

#52 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

47. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Media Studies

#53 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

48. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Media Studies

#54 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

49. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Media Studies

#56 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

50. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Media Studies

#57 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

51. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Media Studies

#58 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

52. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Media Studies

#59 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

53. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Media Studies

#60 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

54. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Media Studies

#61 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 84%

55. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Media Studies

#63 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,083

56. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Media Studies

#64 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

57. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Media Studies

#66 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

58. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#68 in North America

#135 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,590

59. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Media Studies

#69 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 92%

60. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#70 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Enrollment: 9,116
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1961

61. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Media Studies

#72 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

62. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Media Studies

#73 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

63. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For Media Studies

#74 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $40,189

64. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Media Studies

#75 in North America

#145 in the World

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

65. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Media Studies

#76 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

66. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Media Studies

#77 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

67. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Media Studies

#78 in North America

#150 in the World

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

68. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Media Studies

#81 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

69. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Media Studies

#82 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

70. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Media Studies

#83 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

71. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Media Studies

#84 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

72. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Media Studies

#85 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

73. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Media Studies

#86 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

74. John Brown University

Arkansas | Siloam Springs

For Media Studies

#87 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1238
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $21,464

75. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Media Studies

#88 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

76. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Media Studies

#89 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

77. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Media Studies

#90 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,747
Enrollment: 16,880

78. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Media Studies

#91 in North America

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

79. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Media Studies

#92 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

80. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#93 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,770

81. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Media Studies

#95 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

82. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Media Studies

#96 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

83. Kent State University at Kent

Ohio | Kent

For Media Studies

#97 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 96%

84. New School

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#98 in North America

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Net Price: $62,226
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $20,504

85. California State University - Long Beach

California | Long Beach

For Media Studies

#99 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $10,512
Enrollment: 40,278

86. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Media Studies

#100 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 79%

87. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Media Studies

#101 in North America

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

88. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Media Studies

#102 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

89. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Media Studies

#104 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $17,322

90. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Media Studies

#105 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,564
Enrollment: 19,764

91. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Media Studies

#106 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

92. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Media Studies

#107 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

93. Miami University - Oxford

Ohio | Oxford

For Media Studies

#108 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 98%

94. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Media Studies

#109 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,368

95. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Media Studies

#110 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $14,643

96. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Media Studies

#111 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $5,305

97. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Media Studies

#113 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

98. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Media Studies

#114 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,592

99. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Media Studies

#115 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

100. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Media Studies

#116 in North America

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $5,459
Enrollment: 39,241

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.