The best communications liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best communications degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding communications faculty.
For centuries, the liberal arts and sciences have been the core of any college education and are more useful and important today than ever before. Instead of a narrow program with a primary focus, an liberal arts education includes many subjects and areas of study.
You can study and explore:
...and many others. You will be exposed to the cultures and ideas of other people from across the world, from ancient times up to today.
With this many interesting things to learn and discover within the liberal arts and sciences umbrella, it’s not a surprise to find so many liberal arts colleges today.
Once you have decided to attend a liberal arts college, there are several factors to consider when scouting for the right school. It’s imperative for communications students that your chosen college will meet your educational and personal needs. Here are some helpful guidelines to get you started.
Ideally, start considering the liberal arts college you want to attend during your junior year in high school. Compile a list of potential colleges to choose from, then start narrowing down your list by researching all the schools on your list, assessing their curriculum.
All liberal arts colleges are not created equal. Make sure the school you are interested in is not weak in the areas that are crucial to you.
For example, if you plan to study music, don’t attend a liberal arts college with a solid science program but only a sub-par music offering. Discover both the strengths and weaknesses of every liberal college on your list.
A lot of college students who intend to attend a liberal arts college prefer a lower student-teacher ratio. But it is also important to note that while most liberal arts colleges generally have smaller class sizes, not all do.
However, the student-teacher ratio is one of the strongest signs of student success and engagement. This will provide you with information as to how personalized an instruction might be.
In larger colleges, students can easily feel like small fish in a big pond. With larger classes, it is harder for professors to connect with students. With a college that has a lower student-teacher ratio, it is easier for professors and students to make those connections.
One way to assess a school’s performance is by looking at its graduation rates. Graduation rates can help you get a sense of the quality of the school. These metrics tell you how many students are enrolled and how many of these students complete their degrees.
Pay close attention to how a school supports its students on its campus. Colleges with low graduation rates may indicate certain issues like a lack of student guidance or support services
You can turn a communications major into a virtually limitless array of careers. How you use your degree in communications will depend largely on a combination of skills, personal interests, and opportunity. Whether you’d like to edit books for a publishing house, produce a talk radio show, or chase news stories across the globe, majoring in communication can get you started on your way.
Today, top influencers in communication are expanding research on subjects such as the political economy of communication, community media ecologies and impacts on civic and public life, citizen journalism, and much more.
Back to TopCommunications is a popular major because it can provide pathways into countless fields and career opportunities. The study of communication is a balance of theoretical concepts and practical skills. These practical skills are valuable in any field. You’ll learn many of the critical 21st Century skills that employers value such as collaboration, creativity, and the ability to express yourself in a variety of media. Hiring firms actively seek out job candidates with strong writing, speaking, and web-mediated communication skills.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019, the median annual wage for media and communication occupations was $59,230, as compared to a median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810. And if you succeed as an on-air broadcasting talent, an accomplished journalist, or a noted public relations specialist, you could earn quite a bit more.
Back to TopOnce you’ve declared your major in communications, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized communications electives, there are a number of common courses that most communications majors will be required to take, including:
Majoring in communication can provide inroads to a wide range of careers in mass media, journalism, writing, public relations, publishing and much more. Your communication skills and personal interests could take you down a wide range of professional paths, including these top jobs:
Related: How to Major in Communications
If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in communications.
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
93%
Student body
2K
Pomona College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
93%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/33
Vassar College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
93%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
Claremont McKenna College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1425/33
Washington and Lee University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
54%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/19
San Francisco State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
77%
Student body
6K
Ithaca College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
33%
Graduation
85%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1315/29
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
18%
Graduation
88%
Student body
<1K
Pitzer College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
75%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/23
California State University, Long Beach’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
31%
Graduation
90%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/31
Macalester College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
51%
Student body
6K
Columbia College Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
21%
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/23
College of the Ozarks’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
83%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/25
DePauw University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
82%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1400/31
Scripps College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
58%
Student body
4K
La Salle University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
69%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/22
San Jose State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
59%
Student body
1K
Goucher College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
64%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/25
Mills College at Northeastern University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
88%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/28
Bentley University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
33%
Graduation
66%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/24
Berea College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
80%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/30
Trinity University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
82%
Student body
6K
Marist College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
83%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/26
Saint Joseph's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
73%
Student body
1K
Beloit College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
57%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/20
California State University, Sacramento’s faculty and alumni have been influential in: