As one of the first countries in the world to establish journalism and communication studies, the United States possesses the most advanced media systems globally, along with media giants like ABC, NBC, and CBS. In the U.S., media-related majors are held in equal esteem as business programs.
Media majors encompass multiple branches, typified by: Communication, Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations, Film Production, etc., with further specialized directions and categories under each branch.
Moreover, the U.S. leads in both theory and practice of media development worldwide, making it an excellent choice to pursue media studies there.
So, which are the prestigious schools in media? Follow CheersYou（清柚教育） to find out!
Columbia University, New York University, the University of Missouri–Columbia (not highly ranked overall), Syracuse University, and others enjoy outstanding reputations in the U.S. media field. However, each of these institutions differs in terms of admissions, application requirements, and, most importantly, areas of research focus.
Here we compare these renowned media schools to understand how their curricula and research orientations differ despite their shared prestige.
Research Focus
Columbia University's journalism school does not offer as many disciplines as other institutions. Its programs are primarily concentrated in journalism and communication studies, with research emphasis mainly on journalism practice—particularly interview techniques, news reporting, and other applied areas.
New York University is similarly renowned for news reporting, and thus its curriculum shares many similarities with Columbia's. However, compared to Columbia, NYU leans more toward business journalism, with programs largely centered on Business and Economic Reporting, where it holds strong authority.
The School of Journalism at the University of Missouri–Columbia is one of the most renowned journalism schools in the nation, and it was the first in the U.S. to offer higher education in journalism. The school is also very large and boasts a strong faculty.
The areas of instruction are broad, mainly divided into six facets: advertising, news editing, photojournalism, magazines, news, and radio. The curriculum places strong emphasis on developing students' news gathering and writing skills, and most courses are research-oriented.
Syracuse University is well-known in the U.S. for its liberal arts programs, ranking around 50th nationally. In addition to its superb location and picturesque campus, it boasts top-notch facilities and faculty. The computer labs in Syracuse's communications school are all equipped with Apple computers, and its faculty numbers as many as 60, reflecting the school's large size.
Syracuse's media studies programs lean heavily toward academic research, so domestic applicants are not as numerous; roughly one-third of its student body comes from Asia each year, and the school is very popular among Chinese students.
Admissions
Columbia University
Graduate School of Journalism
Programs include a Master of Science in Journalism and a Ph.D. in Communications; the graduate school also offers dual-degree programs such as Journalism and Business or Journalism and Law.
Columbia is the only Ivy League institution with a graduate school of journalism, and its journalism school is among the finest in the nation and the world.
Typical minimum requirements: GPA 3.5 + TOEFL 108
Dual-degree program in Journalism and Computer Science at Columbia:
University of Missouri–Columbia
School of Journalism
Programs cover all areas of journalism. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs; the undergraduate program is a five-year accelerated bachelor's/master's, and the master's program is two years.
The Missouri School of Journalism was the first in the U.S. to offer master's and doctoral degrees in journalism. Graduates are highly active and prominent in major media outlets across the U.S. and worldwide, boasting top-tier employment rates and starting salaries among American universities.
Typical minimum requirements: GPA 3.5 + TOEFL 110 + GRE 320
Northwestern University
Medill School of Journalism
The school offers undergraduate (four-year) and graduate (one-year master's) programs in journalism, with three start dates per year for the master's program.
Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism (ranked #14 nationally) was founded in 1921 through a donation by Joseph Medill, founder of the Chicago Tribune and a media giant. Despite its relatively recent 50-year history, it has grown into a world-class journalism school.
Typical minimum requirements: GPA 3.5 + TOEFL 110 (with a speaking subscore of 25+) + GRE, GMAT, or LSAT
Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism 2019–20 Tuition
University of Southern California
Annenberg School
for Communication and Journalism
Programs offered include broadcast journalism, print journalism, public relations journalism, mass communication, communication management, global communication, journalism, and strategic public relations.
The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is one of the finest in the nation. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs with its own unique strengths.
Typical minimum requirements: GPA 3.2 + TOEFL 105 + GRE 323
USC's Master of Science in Journalism requires a writing sample of news reporting articles:
Ohio University
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
Ohio University's School of Journalism offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Areas of study include advertising management, broadcast journalism, magazine journalism, news writing and editing, online journalism, mass communication, public relations, and more. A distinctive feature is its small class sizes.
Typical minimum requirements: GPA 3.2 + TOEFL 100+ GRE 320
For more admission information on media programs, add CheersYou（清柚教育） on WeChat at (qingtouge23)!
