Best colleges for communications and journalism in Virginia
Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in communication, journalism, or a related field, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for communications and journalism in Virginia34 schools
34 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Offers a bachelor’s program in communication and journalism, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
- 2
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- 3
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 50%
- 4
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- 5
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 27%
- 6
Patrick Henry College
Purcellville, VA · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- 7
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · PublicTop 10% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 6%
- 8
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 33%
- 9
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 10
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit#17 in Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 11
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 12
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 13
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 14
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise, VA · PublicTop 13% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A- · Top 17%
- 15
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- 16Tie
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 16Tie
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 18
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 19
Longwood University
Farmville, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 20
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 21
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- 22
Hampton University
Hampton, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 23
Emory & Henry University
Emory, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 24
Averett University
Danville, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 25
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 45%
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington and Lee University | $23,781 | $19,500 | $94,810 | 94% |
| University of Virginia | $21,565 | $17,500 | $86,863 | 96% |
| University of Richmond | $31,309 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $24,953 | $21,500 | $81,698 | 86% |
| James Madison University | $23,322 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| Patrick Henry College | — | — | — | 74% |
| George Mason University | $17,915 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| University of Mary Washington | $20,667 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Christopher Newport University | $23,015 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| Hollins University | $20,896 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
| Roanoke College | $24,503 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Regent University | $19,923 | $24,534 | $44,498 | 57% |
| Randolph-Macon College | $27,866 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | $9,210 | $16,750 | $45,325 | 47% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $23,433 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| Shenandoah University | $30,298 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| University of Lynchburg | $22,235 | $27,000 | $56,380 | 57% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | $24,588 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Longwood University | $19,066 | $25,000 | $52,347 | 61% |
| Liberty University | $29,357 | $24,500 | $44,813 | 65% |
| Bridgewater College | $17,800 | $26,000 | $53,453 | 53% |
| Hampton University | $25,319 | $25,442 | $59,159 | 57% |
| Emory & Henry University | $19,061 | $26,332 | $47,385 | 56% |
| Averett University | $22,925 | $25,000 | $51,516 | 48% |
| Randolph College | $15,921 | $26,950 | $53,409 | 46% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 21
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 9
- Arkansas 18
- California 70
- Colorado 13
- Connecticut 19
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 7
- Florida 39
- Georgia 38
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 48
- Indiana 39
- Iowa 25
- Kansas 21
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 18
- Maine 6
- Maryland 18
- Massachusetts 38
- Michigan 36
- Minnesota 29
- Mississippi 14
- Missouri 38
- Montana 4
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 3
- New Hampshire 10
- New Jersey 23
- New Mexico 4
- New York 82
- North Carolina 42
- North Dakota 8
- Ohio 59
- Oklahoma 20
- Oregon 17
- Pennsylvania 90
- Puerto Rico 12
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 25
- South Dakota 6
- Tennessee 29
- Texas 64
- Utah 8
- Vermont 7
- Washington 19
- West Virginia 12
- Wisconsin 27