Best Communication and Media Studies Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 18 colleges offering Communication and Media Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,138 recent graduates. Graduates in Tennessee earn $29,201 on average within two years — 13% below the national average of $33,406. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

Schools in TN

$29,201

TN Avg. Earnings

$33,406

National Avg.

777

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Communication and Media Studies in Tennessee

Public Schools (8)

$29,270

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (10)

$29,063

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Tennessee produce comparable or higher early earnings for Communication and Media Studies graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Communication and Media Studies Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

King University

Bristol, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,226

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 54.4%

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$35,307

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,138

Graduates: 156

Acceptance: 46.0%

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 66.6%

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,080

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 96.4%

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$31,702

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,562

Graduates: 120

Acceptance: 77.0%

Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TN · Private

$20,596

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,227

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 68.3%

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$28,515

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,742

Graduates: 368

Acceptance: 68.0%

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$25,774

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,412

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 87.3%

Milligan University

Milligan, TN · Private

Lee University

Cleveland, TN · Private

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,352

Graduates: 110

Acceptance: 96.0%

#12

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$30,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,280

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 92.6%

#13

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,664

Graduates: 89

Acceptance: 93.4%

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$28,055

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,159

Graduates: 111

Acceptance: 87.1%

#16

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN · Private

Bryan College-Dayton

Dayton, TN · Private

Johnson University

Knoxville, TN · Private

$24,035

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 53.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Communication and Media Studies in Tennessee?

King University ranks #1 for Communication and Media Studies in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of N/A within two years of graduation. There are 18 schools offering Communication and Media Studies programs in the state.

How much do Communication and Media Studies graduates earn in Tennessee?

Communication and Media Studies graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $29,201 within two years of graduation. This is 13% below the national average of $33,406 for this major.

What is the hardest Communication and Media Studies school to get into in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt University is the most selective Communication and Media Studies program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 6.3%. The average acceptance rate across Communication and Media Studies programs in the state is 70.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Communication and Media Studies in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, private Communication and Media Studies programs produce average earnings of $29,063 vs $29,270 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 10 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

Communication and Media Studies in Other States

Pennsylvania New York California Texas Ohio Illinois North Carolina Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Wisconsin Florida View All →

Get Communication and Media Studies Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.