Let’s keep swimming through the Codfish State to reel in 14 more bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts that help students inform and excite an audience of 6.86 million. Ranked third by Forbes for quality of life, Massachusetts has a $477 billion economy where communications majors could access the ninth-largest media market, Boston. Outlets like The Patriot Ledger, New England Cable News, WRKO 680AM, The Atlantic, WYCN-CD, and CM Communications recruit top talent. The 30 Fortune 500 companies, including General Electric, Wayfair, Eversource Energy, and Staples, also need glib rhetoricians to shape brand messages. The following is the final list (Q-Z) of undergraduate communications colleges in Massachusetts to find your voice in an entertainment sector bound for 6 percent growth.
First, see:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Massachusetts (A-E)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Massachusetts (F-P)
Also see our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Salem State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Publishing The Log since 1927, Salem State University is a public, coeducational Division III school endowed for $18.2 million that’s enrolling 9,001 Vikings from 57 countries at its 33-building North Shore campus near the historic Pioneer Village. Salem is ranked America’s 104th most liberal college on Niche, 458th best value in Money magazine, and 213th top community service institution by Washington Monthly. Linked to the Frederick E. Berry Library, the College of Arts and Sciences grants 20 undergrad majors for $10,278 in-state or $16,706 out-of-state annually.
Communications BS
Chaired by Dr. Peter Oehlkers, Salem State’s Communications BS is one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts where undergrads strengthen speaking skills with tracks for Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, and Media Studies. The 42-credit major spans courses from Information Technology Fluency to Propaganda before the senior EXPECT consulting project. Other opportunities include broadcasting on 91.7FM Salem, pledging Lambda Pi Eta, working in the Center for Creative Arts, entering the Erasmus Plus Program, and attending the Women’s Leadership Conference.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Classroom Building 134
352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 542-7086
peter.oehlkers@salemstate.edu
Program Link
Simmons College
College of Arts & Sciences
Affiliated with 25,860 LinkedIn alumni, including media greats Gwen Ifill, Rehema Ellis, and Suzyn Waldman, Simmons College is a private, nonprofit women’s liberal arts school endowed for $175 million that’s educating 2,060 undergrad Sharks at its five-building “Puritan City” campus. Simmons is crowned America’s 139th top choice on the Social Mobility Index, 132nd best value by WalletHub, and 299th best university overall in Forbes. The College of Arts & Sciences has a selective 64 percent admission rate for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts.
Major in Communications (BA)
Presently priced at $39,660 per year, Simmons’ Major in Communications (BA) develops a collaborative, engaging environment to master visual and oral expression methods for conveying eloquent information. Directed by Dr. Ellen Grabiner, the 40-credit major utilizes Studio Five to practice skills in three concentrations: Graphic Design, Journalism, and Media Arts. Undergrads might also intern at the Boston Herald, earn the Barbara Lee Fellowship, join the Dix Scholars Association, volunteer with Best Buddies, study abroad in France, and broadcast live on The Shark.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Beatley Library 301
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 521-2827
ellen.grabiner@simmons.edu
Program Link
Springfield College
Department of Humanities
Granted the ACCGS Super 60 Award 10 years straight, Springfield College is a private, coed humanics school that’s endowed for $64.4 million to inspire 3,621 undergrad Pride at its 182-acre campus on the Mill River. Springfield is crowned America’s 390th best small college on Niche, third best social services school for African Americans in Diverse Issues, and 276th best value by WalletHub. Headed by Dr. Alice Eaton, the Department of Humanities confers one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with an average class size of 22.
Bachelor of Science in Communications/Sports Journalism
As basketball’s birthplace, Springfield immerses Bachelor of Science in Communications/Sports Journalism majors in athletics for nurturing key print, television, radio, and digital media skills with SPJ principles. Currently costing $34,980 annually, the 120-credit degree mandates 2.5 GPAs in courses like Broadcast Writing, American Literature, and Sports Information with a one-term internship. Undergrads could report for the Spalding Hoophall Classic, visit the Springfield Falcons, contribute to SCTV 3, pick from 20 study abroad programs, edit the Massasoit Yearbook, and join Poetry Club too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 748-3669
aeaton@springfieldcollege.edu
Program Link
Stonehill College
Communication Department
Founded in 1948 by Holy Cross Fathers at the Ames Mansion, Stonehill College is a private, non-profit Catholic ACCU member of the Northeast-10 that’s endowed for $146 million to educate 2,481 full-time Skyhawks in 46 majors at the 29-building, Georgian-style campus in Bristol County. Stonehill was chosen America’s 121st best value in Money magazine, 18th most service engaged college by The Princeton Review and 80th top liberal arts school in Forbes. The Communication Department currently bills $41,300 yearly for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts ranked 120th nationally on Niche.
Communication B.A.
Selectively admitting 77 percent of entrants with a median SAT score of 1200, Stonehill’s Communication B.A. surveys the humanistic approaches of social interaction in the framework of Catholic values. Led by Dr. Anne Mattina, the SGA Faculty Member of the Year, the 33-credit major has concentrations for Communication Studies or Mediated Communication and a 112-hour internship. Majors may also spend 14 weeks in Los Angeles, add the Digital Media Production Minor, write for The Summit, broadcast on WSHL 91.3FM, and join the Alpha Omega Chapter.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Cushing Martin Hall 111
320 Washington Street
Easton, MA 02357
(508) 565-1117
amattina@stonehill.edu
Program Link
Suffolk University
College of Arts & Sciences
Given the 2000 National Newspaper Pacemaker Award, Suffolk University is Boston’s eighth-largest private, nonprofit doctoral ECAC institution that’s budgeting $319.5 million to teach 5,290 undergrad Rams at its nine-building Beacon Hill campus near 57 historical sites. Suffolk was lauded America’s 258th best college by The Wall Street Journal, 274th best buck in Washington Monthly, and 332nd top pick on the Social Mobility Index. The College of Arts & Sciences maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts ranked 315th nationally by Niche.
Global & Cultural Communication Major
Reporting 93 percent job placement, Suffolk’s Global & Cultural Communication Major managed by Dr. Monika Raesch grants a B.A./B.S. for students seeking the effective speaking and concise writing abilities to convey messages with worldwide impact. For $37,128 per year, undergrads take 10 major courses like World Cinema and complete 16-week internships at media companies, such as Bloomberg News or WEE! Sports Radio. Other opportunities include working at Studio 73, producing The Suffolk Journal, pursuing an Accelerated Master’s, and declaring CAS Honors.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Somerset Building 417A
8 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 573-8236
cjn@suffolk.edu
Program Link
UMass Amherst
Department of Communication
Home to the Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval, UMass Amherst is a public, land-grant Atlantic 10 powerhouse with $214 million in research that’s inspiring 23,388 Minutemen at its 1,450-acre Pioneer Valley campus. UMA is deemed America’s 42nd best greenest college by The Princeton Review, fifth-best value in Financial Times, and 38th most veteran-friendly campus on the U.S. News & World Report. Also ranked in the ACA’s top 25 for faculty productivity, the Department of Communication has 90 percent retention in one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts.
Communication Major
Directed by Dr. Benjamin Bailey, UMass Amherst’s Communication Major offers an experience-rich, liberal arts B.A. curriculum to stimulate systematic analysis of media messages and civic engagement. Billing $30,814 in-state and $48,880 out-of-state yearly, the 37-credit major has emphases for Film Studies, Rhetoric and Performance, Popular Culture Studies, Interpersonal Communication, or Media Technology. Undergrads can also intern with Free Press, study abroad in Buenos Aires, present at the Comm Student Conference, join the Black Mass Communication Project, and continue for Ph.D. studies.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Integrative Learning Center 308
650 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01033
(413) 545-1311
bbailey@comm.umass.edu
Program Link
UMass Boston
College of Liberal Arts
Employing 1,243 faculty, including Pulitzer Prize winner Lloyd Schwartz, UMass Boston is the system’s third-largest public, land-grant research AASCU member founded in 1852 that’s now endowed for $78.9 million to instruct 12,847 undergrad Beacons from 106 nations at the 120-acre Dorchester campus. UMB is proclaimed America’s 460th top university by Times Higher Education, 197th top public school in Forbes, and 57th most innovative college in Thomson Reuters. The College of Liberal Arts presently costs $6,914 in-state and $16,492 out-of-state yearly for bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts ranked 250th nationally by College Factual.
Communication BA
Launched in Fall 2013, UMass Boston’s Communication BA has attracted 300+ undergrads with in-depth examination of how people exchange meaningful information across diverse channels and languages. Administered by Dr. Jennifer Gregg, the 33-credit major presents electives from Social Media Influence to Multimedia Authoring and Advertising Planning before the senior seminar. Students could engage in CSLA events, intern at Atlantic Records, broadcast on WUMB Radio, publish Building Connections, exchange to Wuhan University, and research in the Political Activism Lab too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Wheatley Hall 6th Floor
100 William T. Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 287-6798
Jennifer.Gregg@umb.edu
Program Link
UMass Dartmouth
College of Arts & Sciences
Known for its Living Literature Series, UMass Dartmouth is a public, civic-engaged South Coast branch founded in 1895 that’s now budgeting $244 million yearly to train 6,999 undergrad Corsairs at its 710-acre, Modernist-style campus designed by Paul Rudolph. UMassD is recognized for America’s 448th most diversity on Niche, 254th highest median salary on PayScale, and 52nd most service participation in Washington Monthly. Also ranked 82nd by the U.S. News & World Report, the College of Arts & Sciences grants another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with 76 percent admission.
BA in English: Writing, Rhetoric & Communication
Placing alumni at Google, The Providence Journal, Disney ABC Television Group, and 100s more, UMass Dartmouth’s BA in English: Writing, Rhetoric & Communication fosters the authoring skills to convey articulate information across various genres. The 120-credit degree organized by Dr. Christopher Eisenhart presently bills $13,571 in-state and $28,285 out-of-state yearly for courses from Screenwriting to Technical Communications. Undergrads can also submit to Corridors, broadcast on WUMD 89.3FM, engage in Literary Society activities, venture to Australia, and pursue the Accelerated Master in Professional Writing.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Liberal Arts Building 340
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
(508) 910-6468
ceisenhart@umassd.edu
Program Link
UMass Lowell
College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Housing the O’Leary Media Center, UMass Lowell is a high-energy public, coeducational six-college institution established in 1894 that’s welcoming 10,058 River Hawks with an average GPA of 3.59 at its 150-acre Merrimack Valley campus in The Acre. UML is decreed America’s 33rd best test-optional school on Niche, 220th top university by the CWUR, and 271st best buy in Forbes. The College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences has 181 full-time faculty and $3 million in external funding to award 24 majors, including the most unique of bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts rooted in philosophy.
Philosophy BA: Communications and Critical Thinking Track
Accepting $60 applications from October 1st to June 1st, UMass Lowell’s Philosophy BA has the Communications and Critical Thinking (C&CT) Track to hone the debate skills for expressing logical, well-defined arguments. The 45-credit major led by Dr. Whitley Kaufman integrates courses like Oral Communication, News Writing, and Democratic Justice with at least 60 practicum hours. Students might also join Pi Delta Phi, contribute to The Connector, stream on WUML 91.5FM, take the Cultural Immersion in Havana, and become Tsongas Scholars.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Dugan Hall 200
883 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA 01854
(978) 934-3913
whitley_kaufman@uml.edu
Program Link
Western New England University
College of Arts & Sciences
Hosting the Media Festival in Lyman and Leslie Wood Auditorium since 2002, Western New England University is a private, nonsectarian school dedicated to “Scientia Integritas Servitum” that’s endowed for $33 million to serve 2,613 undergrad Golden Bears at its 215-acre Knowledge Corridor campus. WNE is crowned America’s 367th best Common App college on Niche, 364th best Peace Corps trainer in Washington Monthly, and 276th top value by WalletHub. The College of Arts & Sciences has a 96 percent financial aid rate for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with the 176th highest paid grads nationally on College Factual.
Communication Major (B.A.)
Currently charging $36,804 yearly full-time, Western New England’s Communication Major (B.A.) is chaired by Dr. Douglas Battema with PhD-level faculty who mentor strategic speakers for official capacities spreading resourced facts. The 39-credit, practice-oriented curriculum offers concentrations in Media Theory and Production, Public Relations, Journalism, Corporate Communication, or Health Communication. Students may also intern at SiriusXM Radio, visit WNE Sorrento Italy, pursue the 4+1 MBA track, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, win American Advertising Awards, and edit The Westerner.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Emerson Hall 101A
1215 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
(413) 796-2274
dbattema@wne.edu
Program Link
Westfield State University
Department of Communication
Sitting atop a 256-acre, eco-friendly Pioneer Valley campus adjacent to Stanley Park, Westfield State University is an affordable public, coeducational Howard C. Smith Cup recipient that’s grown since 1838 to educate 4,900 undergrad Owls on a $6.2 million endowment for 31 majors. Westfield is named America’s 422nd most liberal college on Niche, 259th top value in Money magazine, and 36th least dangerous school by SafeWise.com. The Department of Communication uniquely rolls five options into one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts with resources like the Emmy-nominated WSU TV.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Maintaining a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, Westfield’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication enrolls 283 majors seeking to become creative, responsible media practitioners in today’s globalized market. Chaired by Dr. Madeleine Cahill, the 27-credit major costs $970 in-state and $7,050 out-of-state yearly for five concentrations: Communication & Culture, Journalism, Media Arts & Analysis, Student Defined, and Public & Corporate Communication. Other opportunities include earning the Cory J. Garwacki Scholarship, joining Marketing Club, writing for The Westfield Voice, playing on WSKB Radio, and interning at MassLive.com.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Ely Building 336A
577 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA 01086
(413) 572-5747
mcahill@westfield.ma.edu
Program Link
Wheaton College
Communication Department
Boasting over 17,000 alumni, including media greats like Lesley Stahl, Catherine Keener, and Esther Newberg, Wheaton College is a private, female-centric liberal arts school founded in1834 that’s endowed for $184 million to enroll 1,650 undergrad Lyons at the 478-acre, Gold LEED-certified Norton campus. Wheaton is applauded for America’s 156th best English courses on Niche, 174th top private education in Forbes, and 100th best private value by Kiplinger’s. Entering the Communication Department for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts costs $48,694 annually before financial aid like the Wheaton Grant.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication
In a Christian context, Wheaton’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication explores the multiple ways people connect to Kingdom-building verbal and nonverbal information with 11 full-time faculty headed by Ken Chase, Ph.D. The 32-credit major has an average class size of 23 in four concentrations: Media Studies, Rhetoric and Culture, Theater, and Interpersonal Communication. Students could also add the Journalism Certificate, practice at the Speech Center, join the Debate Team, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, take the Act One workshop, pilgrimage to Santiago, and attend Arena Theater productions.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
26 East Main Street
Norton, MA 02766
(630) 752-5095
communication@wheaton.edu
Program Link
Wheelock College
School of Arts and Sciences
Merging with Boston University in June 2018, Wheelock College is a private, nonprofit AICUM liberal arts school that’s endowed for $45.7 million to educate 811 undergrad Wildcats and employ 163 faculty at a 1.5-acre riverfront Fenway campus catty-corner to Merck Research Laboratories. Wheelock was chosen for America’s 64th best location on Niche, 132nd best value by WalletHub, and 58th best master’s institution in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts and Sciences has a state-of-the-art Adobe Photoshop suite to train media masterminds in one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts for $36,200 annual tuition.
Communications BA
Chaired by Dr. Ellen Faszewski, the 2017 COF Collaborator of the Year, Wheelock’s Communications BA helps undergrads spark positive societal changes by harnessing media power for strategic, impactful messages. The 36-48 credit major builds upon core courses like Persuasion and Propaganda with two concentrations in Media Literacy or Media Production. Students may also intern at the Institute of Contemporary Art, join Project Hip-Hop, engage with La Herencia Latina, study abroad in Florence, volunteer with Jumpstart, and practice in the Documentation Studio.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Activities Building West 200
200 Riverway
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 879-2339
efaszewski@wheelock.edu
Program Link
Worcester State University
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Founded atop St. Anne’s Hill in 1874, Worcester State University is a public, state-funded AASCU member and seven-time Landmark Readers’ Choice award winner that’s endowed for $22.9 million to serve 5,514 undergrad Lancers on 58 acres in the “Heart of the Commonwealth.” WSU was judged America’s 411th most liberal college on Niche, 123rd top value by WalletHub, and 189th most service active institution in Washington Monthly. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences confers 11 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts, for $4,766-$7,806 per semester.
Communication Major
Open for admission until May 1st, Worcester’s Communication Major grants a Bachelor of Science for undergrads with minimum 2.7 GPAs to whet their appetite for media analysis methods in our diverse, tech-savvy world. Led by Dr. Julie Frechette, a WSU Extraordinary Dedication Award recipient, the 39-credit major blends courses like Visual Design and Public Speaking with internship experience, perhaps at Telegram & Gazette. Students might direct shows on Lancervision TV, join Omicron Delta Kappa, declare the Ethnic Studies Minor, attend the Leadership Getaway, and visit England too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Learning Resource Center 332A
486 Chandler Street
Worcester, MA 01602
(508) 929-8829
Julie.Frechette@worcester.edu
Program Link
The Department of Labor reported that Massachusetts has 50,510 communications jobs like broadcast news analyst and technical writer that provide mean pay of $63,880. Partnered with Monster, Boston.com found that marketing managers have the Commonwealth’s ninth most in-demand and 18th best-paid job at $135,710. Choosing from the bachelor’s in communications programs in Massachusetts will help test the waters on various types of media careers.