School Overviews
Radio broadcasting programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many schools also offer real-world experiences through on-campus radio stations and off-campus internships. The best programs in radio broadcasting provide students with hands-on experiences that can be used in the job market.
Three of the top schools with radio broadcasting programs are the University of Southern California (USC), the University of Central Florida (UCF), and California State University - Fullerton. UCF offers a bachelor's degree program, and USC and Cal State Fullerton have relevant degree offerings at the bachelor's and master's levels. Each of these schools was nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 2020.
USC in Los Angeles
At the University of Southern California, students will be able to spend two weeks in New York City through a Maymester program offered by the Annenberg School. The University of Southern California is tied for 22nd among national universities by U.S. News and World Report rankings in 2020.
The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism has bachelor's and master's degree programs in broadcast journalism. This emphasis features courses in radio news writing, reporting, and production. Students gain broadcast experience by working at the campus radio station, KCSR. Admission to the Annenberg School at USC is highly competitive.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida's Steven Sotloff Memorial Endowed Fund provides journalism students with a scholarship. The university's Nicholson School of Communication offers a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television. The radio and television program requires specialization in broadcast journalism, production, or generalist track.
Students learn to use radio equipment and practice radio broadcasting by managing WNSC, the campus radio station. The program features a $14 million state-of-the-art communications building designed with a media studio equipped with digital and analog technology. The school was ranked 16th as the most innovative university by U.S. News & World Report for 2019.
California State U - Fullerton
California State University - Fullerton's Internet radio station, Titan Radio, reaches audiences worldwide, and the student DJs choose the format for their shows. At California State University - Fullerton, undergraduate students who are interested in radio broadcasting can pursue a B.A. in communications with a concentration in journalism or entertainment and tourism communications. There is also a Master of Arts in Communications program in which students choose between three tracks: mass communications research and theory, professional communication, and communication in tourism and entertainment.
Students can also get real-world radio training by working on the college radio station. The school was ranked tied at #17 among western regional schools by U.S. News & World Report for 2020.
Top Radio Broadcasting Schools
Now let's take a look at a few more of the best radio broadcasting schools in the country:
| School Name | Location | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Emerson College | Boston, MA | University's radio station, WERS, plays an eclectic mix of music |
| Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | Hofstra University's radio station won over 25 awards in 2019. |
| New York University | New York, NY | University's award-winning radio station, WNYU, produces news magazine shows every week, covering science, the arts, and current events |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | University's WNUR 89.3 FM can reach an audience of up to 3 million people |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | Radio broadcasting students begin getting hands-on experience as entering freshman |
| San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | KCR radio, the university's student-run station, has been broadcasting since 1969, and programming can currently be heard online, on digital cable channels, and through a radio app |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Students can contribute to the university's four radio stations, including an Internet rock station and the sports station ESPN 850 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | University's WUOG 90.5 FM exclusively plays music by local, indie, and other artists not currently featured on commercial radio |
| Washington State University | Pullman, WA | Broadcasting students participate in internships in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Chicago |
Students who are interested in radio broadcasting can find relevant programs at many universities, as well as opportunities to work on college-based radio stations.
