2026 Best Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Communication Sciences doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 410 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
A T Still University Of Health Sciences earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kirksville, MO. More on A T Still University Of Health Sciences
You'll be in good company at Salus University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Elkins Park, PA, Salus University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Salus University
You'll be in good company at Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions, which ranked #3 this year. Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions is a private for-profit school based in Provo, UT. Read the full report on Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions
A rank of #4 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the top choices in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. More on Washington University In St Louis
A rank of #5 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. More on Northwestern University
University Of The Pacific did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Pacific posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. University Of The Pacific Communication Sciences students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. See the full University Of The Pacific profile
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school based in Boulder, CO. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $19,000. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center placed #9 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,214, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $21,500. More on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $18,000. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans placed #11 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in New Orleans, LA, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,356, while out-of-state students pay about $18,851. Students borrow a median of $31,146 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans profile
University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,086, compared with $14,714 for out-of-state students. University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences Communication Sciences students take on a median of $23,106 in debt. Read more about University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences
Texas Christian University placed #13 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Texas Christian University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. See the full Texas Christian University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Communication Sciences students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Communication Sciences students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
Rush University placed #17 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,751. Rush University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $31,206 in debt. See the full Rush University profile
Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Based in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,374. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $26,170. Read more about Pacific University
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
New York University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $24,650. Read more about New York University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $17,921. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $25,952. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Case Western Reserve University placed #24 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Boston University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Purdue University Main Campus placed #26 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Communication Sciences students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Kean University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. Kean University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $26,703. Read more about Kean University
Kent State University At Kent landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Kent State University At Kent Communication Sciences students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Get the full Kent State University At Kent report
University Of Georgia came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Montclair State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Montclair State University is a public school based in Montclair, NJ. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full Montclair State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #31 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,117 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Western Washington University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bellingham, WA. Western Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Western Washington University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. See the full Western Washington University profile
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #33 position. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $19,975 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about James Madison University
Michigan State University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
University Of Florida came in at #35 in this year's ranking. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $15,000. See the full University Of Florida profile
San Diego State University placed #36 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full San Diego State University report
Arizona State University placed #37 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,536 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full Arizona State University profile
University Of Iowa placed #38 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of Iowa report
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,911, while out-of-state students pay about $25,644. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center profile
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #40 in this year's ranking. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
Towson University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Towson University is a public school based in Towson, MD. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,981 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about Towson University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,985 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Loma Linda University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school based in Loma Linda, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,960. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $27,000. Read more about Loma Linda University
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Missouri State University Springfield Communication Sciences students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
University Of North Texas landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. University Of North Texas posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. University Of North Texas Communication Sciences students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read more about University Of North Texas
Auburn University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. Auburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $19,500. See the full Auburn University profile
Ball State University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Communication Sciences schools. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $21,000. Read more about Ball State University
Wayne State University placed #49 among Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $24,849. Read more about Wayne State University
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $22,699. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro report
Related Communication Sciences Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Communication Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Communication Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Communication Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 410 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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