Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025

Badge for BEST FOR COMMUNICATIONS LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

Published: Nov 5, 2021
Updated: Sep 24, 2024

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.

Key Takeaways

Communications is among one of the most popular college majors. A degree in communications can provide pathways into countless fields and career opportunities.
A liberal arts college typically offers smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and a wide range of subject areas to study.
The liberal arts colleges in our ranking offer excellent communications programs. Some top considerations when choosing the right school include: cost, curricula, and student-teacher ratio.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Communications Programs in 2025

Vassar College
+1
San Francisco State University
+3
Pomona College
–2
San Jose State University
+12
Washington and Lee University
–1
DePauw University
+7
California State University, Long Beach
+2
Claremont McKenna College
–5
Goucher College
+8
California State University, Sacramento
+15

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten liberal arts colleges for communication programs saw a considerable amount of movement. California State University, Sacramento saw the largest change, gaining 15 ranking positions. The university was able to achieve this as it launched a new media production lab equipped with cutting-edge audio-visual technology, giving students hands-on experience with digital media production, broadcasting, and podcasting. Additionally, new courses in social media strategy, digital storytelling, and communication ethics have been added to the curriculum, reflecting the evolving landscape of the communications industry. Partnerships with local media outlets and businesses offer expanded internship opportunities, providing students with practical, real-world experience and networking connections. These enhancements align with the growing demand for digital communication skills in various fields.

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Communications Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Communication

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,942
Avg. Expenses*: $17,384
Avg. Starting Salary*: $34,970
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $45,289
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
Job Growth: 4.14%
Number of Jobs: 926,700
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Public Relations Managers	6.89%	$134,760
Fundraising Managers	6.02%	$119,200
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	3.43%	$79,910
Editors	-2.01%	$75,020
Writers and Authors	5.11%	$73,690
Public Relations Specialists	6.23%	$66,750
Fundraisers	5.88%	$64,160
Media and Communication Workers, All Other	7.78%	$61,900
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	-2.81%	$57,500
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	-4.15%	$44,890

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Public Relations Managers	$134,760
Fundraising Managers	$119,200
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$79,910
Editors	$75,020
Writers and Authors	$73,690
Public Relations Specialists	$66,750
Fundraisers	$64,160
Media and Communication Workers, All Other	$61,900
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	$57,500
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	$44,890

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Communications Within the Liberal Arts Discipline

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:

The humanities
The arts
Hard sciences
Languages
Social sciences
Mass communications
Health professions
Environmental sciences
Writing
Math

...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.

Selecting a Communications Program in the Best Liberal Arts College

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.

Assess the Curriculum and Evaluate the School

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.

Know the College’s Strengths and Weaknesses

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.

Check the Student-Teacher Ratio

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.

Graduation Rates

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

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.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications programs

The Best Communications Schools in Your State

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Communications Programs in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Vassar College

Most Influential Alumni

Vasser College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at San Francisco State University

Most Influential Alumni

San Francisco State University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Pomona College

Most Influential Alumni

Pomona College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at San Jose State University

Most Influential Alumni

San Jose State University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Washington and Lee University

Most Influential Alumni

Washington and Lee University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at DePauw University

Most Influential Alumni

DePauw University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at California State University, Long Beach

Most Influential Alumni

California State University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Claremont McKenna College

Most Influential Alumni

Claremont McKenna College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Goucher College

Most Influential Alumni

Goucher College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at California State University, Sacramento

Most Influential Alumni

California State University, Sacramento Communication Studies Major:

California State University, Sacramento’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Macalester College

Most Influential Alumni

Macalester College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Ithaca College

Most Influential Alumni

Ithaca College Communication Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Pitzer College

Most Influential Alumni

Pitzer College Communication Major:

Pitzer College Communication Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Columbia College Chicago

Most Influential Alumni

Columbia College Chicago Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Berea College

Most Influential Alumni

Berea College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Beloit College

Most Influential Alumni

Beloit College Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Scripps College

Most Influential Alumni

Scripps College Communication Major:

Scripps College Communication Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Saint Joseph's University

Most Influential Alumni

Saint Joseph’s University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at La Salle University

Most Influential Alumni

La Salle University Communication Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Trinity University

Most Influential Alumni

Trinity University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Bentley University

Most Influential Alumni

Bentley University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Most Influential Alumni

California Polytechnic State University Communication Major:

Career Outlook for Communications degree at Marist College

Most Influential Alumni

Marist College Communication Major Concentrations:

Marist College’s Online Degrees