The United States’ largest state is jam-packed with bachelor’s in communications programs in California for gaining the #3 most important job skill employers want according to Forbes. Communications majors can market their education in California’s diverse, $2.514 trillion economy from Silicon Valley to Hollywood. Graduates could handle media proceedings at 53 Fortune 500 corporations, such as McKesson, HP, Google, Disney, Oracle, Qualcomm, and Western Digital. California is highly regarded for hosting entertainment studios like Lions Gate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. Communications students can also write for the award-winning San Diego Union-Tribune, broadcast on 102.5 KSFM, report for KTLA, and more. The BLS shows that 316,760 Californians work in media occupations, so join the crowd by attending one of these communications schools in CA.
For the first articles in our series, see:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in California (A-C)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in California (California State University System)
Dominican University of California
School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Opened by Mother O’Donnell in 1890, Dominican University of California is a private, nonprofit Catholic NAICU institution affiliated with the Congregation of the Most Holy Name to educate 1,860 Penguins on a $26 million endowment on 80 acres in the Bay Area suburb of San Rafael. Deemed America’s 105th “Best College with No Application Fee” on Niche, DU is ranked the 30th best Western university by the U.S. News. The School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in California with a median early-career salary of $51,400.
Communication and Media Studies Major
Leading to a B.A. with 83 percent freshman retention, Dominican’s Communication and Media Studies Major is housed in Angelico Hall to equip undergrads for confidently expressing information in the media-saturated global environment. Students build on the 40-unit major with six concentrations: Civic Communication, Multimedia Journalism/Broadcasting, Public Relations, Sports Media, Strategic/Corporate Communication, or Web TV/Video Production. Other opportunities include interning at NBCUniversal, joining Alpha Lambda Delta, editing for the Dominican Beat, and viewing the on-campus Ansel Adams Collection.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 485-3293
bradley.vanalstyne@dominican.edu
Fresno Pacific University
School of Humanities, Religion & Social Sciences
Occupying a 42-acre, 16-building urban campus in California’s Central Valley near the San Joaquin River, Fresno Pacific University is a private, nonprofit Christian institution tied to the Mennonite Brethren Church since 1944 that provides a four-year graduation guarantee to 2,800 bachelor’s students. Named America’s 192nd “Best Small College” on Niche, FPU is ranked the 44th best Western university by the U.S. News. The School of Humanities, Religion & Social Sciences is one of five WSCUC-accredited academic divisions holding an 11:1 student-faculty ratio for liberal arts education.
Communication, B.A.
Selectively admitting 52 percent of applicants, Fresno’s Communication B.A. is another of the on-campus bachelor’s in communications programs in California that offers emphasis areas for Media and Film Studies, Multimedia Production, or Communication Studies. For $29,998 per year full-time, the 120-credit curriculum builds the expressive and persuasive methods for forming interpersonal connections. Majors could also study at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, write for The Syrinx, travel abroad from Iceland to Israel, and intern with KGST.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
McDonald Hall, Room 220
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727
(559) 453-5554
bjwiebe@fresno.edu
Holy Names University
Arts & Humanities Division
Endowed for $11.2 million, Holy Names University is a private, nonprofit Catholic ACCU member of the PacWest that became co-educational in 1971 to educate over 1,350 Hawks under President Dr. William Hynes’ leadership on a 60-acre urban campus in Oakland Hills near Joaquin Miller Park. Applauded as America’s 206th “Most Diverse College” on Niche, HNU is ranked the 52nd best Western university and 11th top value by the U.S. News. The Arts & Humanities Division has one of the bachelor’s in communications programs with an annual net price of $26,502.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Featuring a 93 percent placement rate, HNU’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is a 45-credit major capitalizes on a 10:1 student-faculty ratio to provide hands-on experiences conveying ideas with clarity, efficiency, and visual impact. The 15 required courses delve into computer graphics, conflict resolution, group processes, professional writing, intercultural communication, and web design on-site in Oakland. Undergrads could also intern with Adobe Systems, study in El Salvador, volunteer through Campus Compact, and join the Leadership Council.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
3500 Mountain Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 436-1026
prentiss@hnu.edu
Hope International University
College of Arts and Sciences
Opened as Pacific Bible Seminary in 1928, Hope International University is a private, nonprofit Christian CIC member linked to the Restoration Movement that’s attracting over 2,050 students from 40 countries to its 18-acre suburban campus in Fullerton just 11 miles northwest of Santa Ana. Declared America’s 87th “Most Conservative College” on Niche, HIU is ranked the 162nd best baccalaureate institution for contribution to the public good in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts and Sciences confers nine bachelor’s from history to literature with 74 percent retention.
B.A. in Liberal Arts with a Contract Program in Communication
Hope’s B.A. in Liberal Arts with a Contract Program in Communication stands out among bachelor’s in communications programs in California for offering courses on-site and at CSU Fullerton for a 122-unit curriculum that builds speaking and writing skills. Requiring a 2.5 GPA or better, the curriculum allows concentrations for Journalism, Advertising, Entertainment, Radio-TV-Film, Photocommunication, and Public Relations. Seniors can accelerate their master’s by taking nine graduate credits. Alumni have excelled with Disney, Capitol Records, KFSH 95.9 FM, Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital, and more.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
2500 E. Nutwood Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 879-3901 ext. 1250
sedgington@hiu.edu
Humboldt State University
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Noted for alumni like cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg, Forbes columnist Ken Fisher, and Emmy winner Dan Curry, Humboldt State University is a public, four-year CSU constituent founded in 1913 that’s now serving over 7,900 undergrads from 144 rural acres on the North Coast of Arcata. Ranked the West’s 52nd best school and 12th top public university, HSU is crowned the 117th best regional bang for the buck in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences grants one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in California with an average class size of 25.
Communication, B.A.
Launched in 1993, Humboldt State’s Communication B.A. is delivered by PhD-level faculty, including an Excellence in Teaching Award winner, trained at Pittsburgh, Denver, Purdue, Ohio State, and more to enhance undergrads’ experience with verbal and nonverbal communication modes. The 120-credit degree attracts around 170 majors into courses like debate, oral interpretation, rhetorical theory, and public discourse. Students may also declare the Social Advocacy Minor, join Lambda Pi Eta, spend the summer abroad in Oaxaca, and edit The Lumberjack.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
Telonicher House, Room 101
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 826-3261
comm@humboldt.edu
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Undergrad Degree Programs Division
Fully WSCUC-accredited since 2015, John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, nonprofit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution led by President Derry Connolly that’s enrolling around 310 Pelicans on its Escondido campus just 30 miles north of San Diego. Featured in the Cardinal Newman Society’s “Guide to Choosing a Catholic College,” JPCatholic is graded B+ for safety and diversity on Niche. The Undergrad Degree Programs Division is perhaps the fastest of bachelor’s in communications programs in California with a year-round structure for graduation in three years.
B.S. in Communications Media
At JPCatholic, the B.S. in Communications Media preps creative undergrads with oral and visual storytelling abilities for media-oriented jobs at an annual net price of $30,869. The 120-credit degree offers 10 skills-focused concentrations, such as Screenwriting, Animation, Game Development, Journalism, TV Production, New Evangelization, and Acting. Undergrads could also practice with LaunchPad companies like Lexicon Studios, tutor in the Writing Center, take the 16-day Europe trip, participate in the LA Quarter, and intern with Alcon Entertainment.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
155 W. Grand Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025
(858) 653-6740
mbagay@jpcatholic.edu
La Sierra University
Undergraduate Areas of Study
Since gaining independence from Loma Linda in 1990, La Sierra University has become a private, nonprofit Seventh-day Adventist institution endowed for $35 million with 2,440 Golden Eagles on its 150-acre suburban campus in Riverside. Chosen as America’s 352nd “Hardest College to Get Into” on Niche, La Sierra is ranked the 50th best Western university and ninth top value by the U.S. News. Within the Undergraduate Areas of Study, students find one of the few bachelor’s in communications programs in California to hold AAA accreditation for Christ-centered teaching and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
La Sierra’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication selectively admits 45 percent of applicants seeking to find their voice by studying the methods through which people share information and form lasting connections. Ranging from 64-72 units, the four-year curriculum offers concentrations for Strategic Communication or Public Relations with courses from persuasion to digital marketing. Majors could also study in Portugal, broadcast on Eagle TV, intern with the Los Angeles Times, compete for the Enactus SIFE World Cup, and join Mock Trial.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA)
Contact
Gladwyn Hall, Room 113
4500 Riverwalk Parkway
Riverside, CA 92505
(951) 785-2666
communication@lasierra.edu
Life Pacific College
Undergraduate Majors Division
Affiliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, Life Pacific College is a private, nonprofit evangelical Christian institution opened in 1923 that’s earned ABHE approval to educate around 650 faithful from its suburban campus in San Dimas just 28 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Ranked in America’s top 10 percent for diversity on College Factual, LPC is graded A+ for safety, dorms, and student life on Niche. Admitting freshmen with an average SAT score of 1060, the Undergraduate Majors Division has seven bachelor’s, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in California.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Presently charging $591 per unit or $11,437 each semester, LPC’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication trains undergrads to respectfully and effectively communicate in a Christ-like manner to advance God’s Kingdom. Running on traditional Fall and Spring semester schedules with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, the 48-unit major integrates courses like argumentation, media writing, rhetoric, and social influence with a senior communications internship. Graduates have been admitted to Biola, USC, Trinity Law School, Oxford, Fuller Theological Seminary, and more.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Contact
1100 West Covina Blvd.
San Dimas, CA 91773
(877) 886-5433
admissions@lifepacific.edu
Loyola Marymount University
College of Communication and Fine Arts
Named after Saint Ignatius Loyola in 1918, Loyola Marymount University is a private, nonprofit Jesuit institution located on 150 urban acres in Los Angeles’ Westchester district to enlighten over 6,250 undergrad Lions. Deemed America’s 75th best private value on Kiplinger’s, LMU is ranked the third best Western university and third most veteran-friendly school by the U.S. News. Managing a $13 million budget with 63 full-time, PhD-level faculty, the College of Communication and Fine Arts has produced notable alumni like Kate Micucci and Van Partible with six bachelor’s options costing $44,222 yearly before aid.
B.A. in Communication Studies
Retaining 90 percent of freshmen, LMU’s B.A. in Communication Studies is one of the top-ranked bachelor’s in communications programs in California that cultivates the speaking and writing skills to engage in public discourse on issues of civic importance. The four-year plan includes a 44-credit major customized for fields like Campaign Strategy, Social Media Management, Human Resources, and Advertising/Sales. Undergrads may also complete an 80-hour internship with Pixar, join Lambda Pi Eta, compete on the Debate Team, attend the Inge Theater Festival, and more.
Accreditation
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Contact
1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 258-5452
bryantkeithalexander@lmu.edu
According to The Wall Street Journal, communications majors have a median starting salary of $38,100 and mid-career salary of $70,000 for 83.7 percent income growth. Grads will also find that certain media jobs pay considerably higher than the norm too. For example, product marketing directors and social media directors are compensated $153,800 and $118,000 respectively on average. Staking your investment in bachelor’s in communications programs in California could reap long-term ROI.
See also:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in California (M-P)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in California (Q-S)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in California (T-Z)