Best Master’s in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs
The mass media continues to play a critical role in distilling and transmitting information to the public. Top mass communication graduate programs typically blend traditional media forms, such as journalism and public relations, with new media technologies.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 3% growth rate for media and communication occupations between 2022 and 2032, about as fast as the average growth rate for all occupations. The median annual salary for these professionals is $66,320 as of May 2023, much higher than the $48,060 average for all occupations.
Explore our ranking of some of the nation’s top on-campus and online master’s in mass communication and media studies programs.
Popular Online Media Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Master’s in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs
Stanford University
Stanford, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,857
- Out-of-state$52,857
- In-State$52,479
- Out-of-state$52,479
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate4%
- Students Enrolled17,249
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment5%
- AccreditationYes
Columbia University in the City of New York
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,763
- Out-of-state$57,763
- In-State$47,600
- Out-of-state$47,600
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate5%
- Students Enrolled31,456
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment6%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$56,232
- Out-of-state$56,232
- In-State$56,067
- Out-of-state$56,067
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate9%
- Students Enrolled22,448
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,278
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate23%
- Students Enrolled29,877
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Brigham Young University-Provo
- Provo, UT
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$5,790
- Out-of-state$5,790
- In-State$7,290
- Out-of-state$7,290
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled34,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled33,720
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Villanova University
- Villanova, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,550
- Out-of-state$54,550
- In-State$20,506
- Out-of-state$20,506
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled10,848
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Seattle, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,370
- Out-of-state$37,071
- In-State$18,198
- Out-of-state$32,439
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate52%
- Students Enrolled47,576
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment8%
- AccreditationYes
University of Miami
- Coral Gables, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,400
- Out-of-state$50,400
- In-State$37,800
- Out-of-state$37,800
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate27%
- Students Enrolled17,811
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Madison, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,273
- Out-of-state$36,333
- In-State$10,728
- Out-of-state$24,054
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled44,257
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Mass Communication and Media Studies?
Graduates from mass communication programs can pursue well-paying careers such as editors, writers and authors, public relations specialists, and news analysts and reporters.
The BLS reports the annual median salaries for a variety of media and communication occupations as of 2023:
- Editors: $75,020
- Writers and authors: $73,690
- Public relations specialists: $66,750
- Film and video editors and camera operators: $65,070
- News analysts, reporters, and journalists: $57,500
- Technical writers: $80,050
Popular Classes in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs
Students enrolled in mass communication graduate programs complete 30-36 credits of coursework on campus and/or online. While each school’s curriculum varies, some common themes stand out.
Students usually explore the history of communication and mass media, types of communication media, and their influence on culture and society. Some programs allow students to focus on a specialization such as political communication or public relations.
Theory of Mass Communication
This course explores major theories in mass communication and their application in politics, advertising, and other contexts. Students examine research and case studies that demonstrate the influence of mass media on American culture and society.
Critical Analysis of Mass Media
This course teaches students how to critically analyze content in mass media, such as newspaper articles and broadcast news. Students learn how to deconstruct the messaging, understand the motivation, and evaluate audience impact.
Advanced Public Relations
This course examines the fundamentals of public relations and its role in shaping public perception. Students explore topics such as media relations, strategic communication planning, content development, and crisis communication.
Journalism
This course explores the history of journalism through the 20th and 21st centuries. Students explore topics such as investigative journalism, effective story-telling, data-driven journalism, and emerging media platforms.
Digital and Social Media Fundamentals
This course explores the evolution of digital and social media over the past few decades, including the various technologies and their use to shape political discourse, build brands, and gather information.
Master’s in Mass Communication and Media Studies Admission Requirements
Admission to a mass communication graduate program usually requires a bachelor’s degree, a minimum 2.8-3.0 GPA, college transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Most graduate schools do not require a specific major or prerequisite coursework for admission to this program. However, majors such as English, political science, marketing, and communications make an especially good fit.
Many schools no longer require GRE test scores, though applicants may submit them to bolster the application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs
Mass communication is the process of examining human communication and how to develop and disseminate messages to the public through mediums such as the media — broadcast news, newspaper journalism, and social media.
Media studies explores the history, content, and effectiveness of these various mediums in getting that messaging across to large audiences.
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