Communication Schools in New York City
The following resource includes information about the undergraduate and/or graduate programs in communications offered by two private universities and a public community college. Read about the program options below, and check out the school comparison table. At the end of the resource, you'll also find a paragraph about some other colleges and universities in the area that offer programs for communications students.
- New York University (NYU) is a large, private university located minutes away from downtown New York City. NYU offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in communication.
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College is a 2-year college in Long Island City and part of the City University of New York (CUNY). Located five miles from downtown New York City, the college offers an associate degree program in communication.
- In the Bronx, students can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in communications at Fordham University, a private Jesuit school. The university is located about ten miles from downtown New York City.
Comparison of Schools
The following table is designed to help undergraduate students determine how much a degree in communications might cost, including their chances of receiving some form of financial aid. Note the relatively selective admissions figures and significant graduation rates at the two private universities.
| New York University | CUNY LaGuardia Community College | Fordham University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year, private not-for-profit | 2-year, public | 4-year, private not-for-profit |
| Total Enrollment (2021)* | 58,226 | 14,919 | 16,986 |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large city | Large city |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022)* | $56,500 | In-state: $5,218, out-of-state: $8,098 | $56,161 |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021)* | 78% | 83% | 95% |
| Acceptance Rate (2021)* | 13% | N/A - Open admissions | 58% |
| Retention Rate (2020-2021)* | 94% for full-time students; 46% for part-time students | 60% for full-time students; 36% for part-time students | 88% for full-time students; 43% for part-time students |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate* | 87% (Students began in Fall 2015) | 29% (Students began in Fall 2018) | 83% (Students began in Fall 2015) |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
New York University
New York University (NYU) enrolls more than 52,800 students in its institutes, schools and colleges in Manhattan and abroad. NYU's Washington Square campus, which lies in the center of the city's Greenwich Village neighborhood, offers communication programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture and Communication
Undergraduate students spend their first two years of study completing humanities courses in contemporary culture, expository writing and foreign language. To round out the required 128 credits for this program, students choose two communication specialties, such as technology and society, images and screen studies or media institutions and politics.
Outside the classroom, NYU gives communication students opportunities to participate in its campus newspaper, television station and radio station. Students can also complete an internship in the city or study abroad in Europe or Asia.
Master of Arts in Media, Culture and Communication
NYU's master's program begins with classes in communication theory and research. Students then choose a specialty, such as interaction and social processes or global and transcultural communication, and complete electives from outside the communication department. Master's candidates also can participate in academic conferences, internships and the school's study abroad program. Graduates should be able to analyze and understand communication in its many forms, such as film, print or online.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Media, Culture and Communication
NYU's doctoral program allows students to explore the many forms of communication, along with its technological tools and impact on greater culture. Ph.D. candidates must complete 48 credits if they already hold a master's degree or 54 credits otherwise. Students generally finish the program in five years, taking courses their first two years and forming and finishing their thesis in the remaining three years.
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College was founded in 1971. The school offers certificates and degrees, including the Associate of Arts in Communication Studies.
Associate of Arts in Communication Studies
This program requires students to complete 60 credits. They can choose from five focuses: public relations, speech pathology, public address, mass communication or organizational communication. Required core courses include public speaking, communication fundamentals and interpersonal communication.
Fordham University
Fordham University is composed of its original Rose Hill site in the north Bronx, the Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan and the Westchester location, about 30 miles outside the city. Fordham University offers its communication and media studies program at its Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies
The 124-credit program includes core liberal arts and communication courses and requires a concentration in film and television or digital technologies and emerging media; concentrations in communication and culture or journalism are also available.
Master of Arts in Public Media
Fordham's master's degree program is founded on the concept of media as a public resource. It requires completion of 30 credits and a master's project. Optional internships are available. Graduate students take core communication courses, which build their skills in research and media analysis. Students can choose a concentration area in journalism or strategic communication.
Other School Options
Prospective students also might want to explore one of the many other communications schools in the New York City area. Pace University - New York, St. Francis College, Touro College, CUNY Brooklyn College and St. John's University are just a few of the other NYC schools that offer communications programs.
