Let’s debut our “Excelsior State” lists with 17 top-notch bachelor’s in communications programs in New York on and off Broadway that stage entertaining careers in media. Founded in the Great Lakes Region in 1788, New York’s $1.44 trillion economy now ranks 15th nationally on Forbes. News Generation featured six NYS media markets among the top 100: New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse, and Burlington-Plattsburgh. Manhattan is the television Mecca with headquarters for major channels like ABC, Fox News, Lifetime, Food Network, and Bravo. Communications grads choose from endless influential outlets, including the New York Times, Vector Media, NY1, Omnicom Group, WQXR 105.9FM, Esquire, and Simon & Schuster. Channel your inner investigative journalist to research the following undergraduate communications degrees in New York (A-C) for your right fit.
See our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Alfred University
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Running the Institute for Electronic Arts since 1997, Alfred University is a private, statutory liberal arts Empire 8 member historically linked to the Seventh-day Baptists that’s endowed for $105 million to educate 1,840 Saxons from 39 states at its 232-acre Southern Tier campus. Alfred was deemed America’s 500th top university overall by Times Higher Education, 300th best-loved school on Forbes, and 224th best buck in Washington Monthly. Also ranked 59th nationally by Niche, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has a 13:1 student-faculty ratio for 27 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York.
Communication Studies (BA)
Presently priced at $32,494 annually, Alfred’s Communication Studies (BA) trains eager, open-minded media practitioners to effectively shape narratives for identifying social or political problems. The 38-credit major chaired by Dr. Pamela Schultz blends courses like News Reception, Communication Ethics, and Marketing. Undergrads can also write for Fiat Lux, become Saxon Sidekicks, stream WALF 89.7FM, take the Gary Horowitz Leadership Development Program, minor in Literature, attend Creative Writing Camp, visit Rome, and join Poder Latino.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Seidlin Hall 009
1 Saxon Drive
Alfred, NY 14802
(607) 871-2340
fschultz@alfred.edu
Canisius College
College of Arts & Sciences
Equipping its GriffinTV Studio with the NewTek TriCaster TCXD850 Extreme, Canisius College is a private, collaborative Jesuit Metro Atlantic member founded in 1870 that’s budgeting $85 million to immerse 2,595 undergrad Griffs in 100+ clubs at its 37-building “Nickel City” home. Canisius was crowned America’s 398th best institution by The Wall Street Journal, 179th best investment on LendEDU, and 158th top standout college on Niche. In Forbes’ 108th best place for careers, the College of Arts & Sciences currently charges $28,488 yearly for one of the Catholic bachelor’s in communications programs in New York with 83 percent retention.
Communication Studies Major
Admitting freshmen with a median 3.47 GPA, Canisius’ Communication Studies Major instills the digital multimedia skills for interacting and sharing diverse thoughts across our global society. The 120-credit curriculum organized by Dr. John Dahlberg builds on an Ignatian foundation in three emphases: Advertising/Public Relations, Media Studies, or Interpersonal/Organizational Communication. Students can also intern at Righteous Babe Records, join Griffin Speaks, broadcast The Wire, peruse Bouwhuis Library, tour 16 nations, and serve on St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Lyons Hall 322
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208
(716) 888-2111
dahlberj@canisius.edu
Cazenovia College
Division of Humanities & Natural Sciences
Given the 2016 Spirit of College Radio Award for WITC 88.9FM, Cazenovia College is a close-knit independent, nonsectarian school that’s generating a $66 million economic impact by teaching 893 Wildcats from 27 states in 35 majors at a 25-acre Madison County campus. Caz was chosen America’s 264th best baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly, the North’s eighth top value by the U.S. News & World Report, and the state’s 83rd most liberal college on Niche. The Division of Humanities & Natural Sciences pairs with the Division of Art & Design to grant two bachelor’s in communications programs in New York costing $34,024 per year.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Chaired by Dr. Heather Maloney-Stassen, the 2016 NYSCA Neil Postman Award winner, Cazenovia’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies lets freshmen forge exploration of how humans relay knowledge. The 51-credit major has average classes of 14 analyze content from Debate to Technical Writing and Nonverbal Language. Learners may publish The Quad, intern at WSYR Channel 9, join Improv Anonymous, take Alternative Breaks to Quito, pledge Sigma Alpha Pi, minor in Journalism, attend MOSAIC seminars, and use the Integrated Media Lab too.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications
Exhibiting at Resiman Hall Art Gallery, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications is a hands-on, portfolio-based studio option for conveying contextual messages in creative imagery. The 67-credit major led by Prof. Laurie Selleck, the 2012 Distinguished Faculty Award recipient, specializes in Graphic Design, Web/Interactive Development, Advertising, or Illustration/Animation. Students might also publish Spilled Ink, join Photography Club, get AIGA membership, follow the Caz Art Trail, visit the Louvre, intern at Landor, and minor in Fashion Merchandising.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Watts Hall 212
22 Sullivan Street
Cazenovia, NY 13035
(315) 655-7347
admissions@cazenovia.edu
Clarkson University
School of Arts & Sciences
Home to the Eastman Kodak Center for Excellence in Communication, Clarkson University is a private, coed civic-engaged ECAC member opened in 1896 that’s leaving a $343 million annual impact by teaching 3,268 undergrad Knights at a 50-building North Country campus on Raquette River. Clarkson was proclaimed America’s 20th best buy in Bloomberg, 121st best faculty on Niche, 35th top ROI college by PayScale, and 161st best-loved school by Forbes. The School of Arts & Sciences currently costs $23,350 per semester full-time for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York that ranked 111th nationally on College Factual.
B.S. in Communication
Accepting $50 applications until July or December 1st yearly, Clarkson’s B.S. in Communication has helped develop sophisticated rhetorical repertoires to better articulate ideas since 1986. The 120-credit, eight-term sequence headed by Dr. Bill Karis, the 2015 Outstanding Advisor Award winner, offers courses like Typography, Video Production, and Crisis Management. Majors may also intern at Xerox Corporation, enjoy an Adirondack Semester, engage in the Reh Center, declare Honors, publish The Integrator, deejay on WTSC 91.1FM, and join Golden Knotes.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Bertrand Snell Hall 165
8 Clarkson Avenue
Potsdam, NY 13699
(315) 268-6484
karis@clarkson.edu
College of Mount Saint Vincent
Division of Communication, Art, and Media
Utilized for filming Meryl Streep’s 2008 film Doubt, the College of Mount Saint Vincent is an independent, Catholic ACCU member of the Skyline Conference that’s endowed for $17.18 million under the Sisters of Charity to inspire 1,927 Dolphins in 70 majors at the 70-acre Bronx location. CMSV was named America’s 290th most diverse college on Niche, 481st top value in Money magazine, and 157th best Peace Corps producer by Washington Monthly. The Division of Communication, Art, and Media upholds Psalms 118 to teach goodness in another of the faith-based bachelor’s in communications programs in New York with 86.1 percent acceptance.
B.A. in Communication
Exclusively in Riverdale, Mount Saint Vincent’s B.A. in Communication majors currently pay $18,350 per semester for a robust theoretical introduction to how people create meaningful communal relationships. The flexible, 120-credit plan managed by Dr. Ted Kafala grants eight specializations, such as Sports Media, Digital Arts, Storytelling, Event Planning, and Organizational Communication. Undergrads could also earn the Susanne Breckel Award, intern at MTV Network, edit The Mount Times, attend Margaret F. Grace Lecture, join Artivism, and become Seton Scholars.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Maryvale Hall 106
6301 Riverdale Avenue
Riverdale, NY 10471
(718) 405-3459
ted.kafala@mountsaintvincent.edu
College of Saint Rose
School of Arts and Humanities
Publishing The Chronicle each Tuesday since 1936, the College of Saint Rose is one of six private, nonprofit Catholic institutions sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph that’s worth $42.1 million to enroll 3,950 Knights and employ 176 full-time faculty on its 48 Capital Region acres. CSR was judged America’s 130th best college location on Niche, 30th best for vets school by Military Times, and 190th top university in Washington Monthly. The School of Arts and Humanities allies with the Thelma P. Lally School of Education for two bachelor’s in communications programs in New York where 99 percent of classes have under 30 pupils.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Chaired by Dr. Cailin Brown of Times Union, Saint Rose’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication erected the cutting-edge Hearst Center for Interactive Media to engage creative minds in compelling digital production. The 51-credit major currently costs $31,432 yearly in five concentrations: Critical Media Studies, Broadcast News, Journalism, Public Relations, or Film. Other opportunities include traveling with StoryCorps, interning with NYS Assembly Radio, attending Visiting Artist Lectures, minoring in Visual Literacy, and joining the Crate of Apes Comedy Club.
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders
Reporting a 94 percent NYSTCE pass rate, the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders turns Saint Rose undergrads into clinical problem-solvers for helping clients overcome language delays. The four-year degree advised by Dr. Robert Owens, a 2015 ASHA Trailblazer Award honoree, integrates 75 practicum hours into courses from Voice Resonance to Hearing Assessment. Students can also pursue the Dual B.S./M.S.Ed., practice in the Pauline K. Winker Clinic, join the NSSLHA, give back with Better Together, and study abroad in Panama.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
996 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 454-2823
comdept@strose.edu
College of Staten Island
Department of Media Culture
Welcoming audiences totaling over 130,000 to Williamson Theatre since 1996, the College of Staten Island is a public, four-year CUNY constituent and RecycleMania winner that’s budgeting $103 million to instruct 13,798 Dolphins at the 204-acre, park-like Willowbrook campus off Interstate 278. CSI was honored for America’s 111th top value in Forbes, 316th best education by Washington Monthly, and 16th best opportunities on the Social Mobility Index. The Department of Media Culture stands in PayScale’s top 15 percent for ROI with one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York costing $295 to $600 per credit.
B.S. Communications
Maintaining a 17:1 student-professor ratio under Dr. David Gerstner, Staten Island’s B.S. Communications instills the media criticism skills to enhance the intellectual, innovative exchange of information. The 51-credit major mandates 2.0 GPAs throughout four tracks: Media Studies, Corporate Communication, Design & Digital Media, and Journalism. Students can attend the Tournées Film Festival, record in The Cage, edit The Banner, broadcast on WSIA 88.9FM, earn the George Custen Award, enter the Verrazano Honors School, and join Linguistics Club too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Center for the Arts 232
2800 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10314
(718) 982-2541
David.Gerstner@csi.cuny.edu
Cornell University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Hosting the 2018 Design Communication Association (DCA) Conference in October, Cornell University is a private, land-grant Ivy League research hub with $9.0 billion in assets that’s admitting 14,907 undergrads from 120 countries into 80 majors at the 260-building campus on Cayuga Lake. Cornell was lauded America’s 10th best university in The Wall Street Journal, 32nd most diverse faculty by Financial Times, and 11th top institution on the CWUR. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences carries on Liberty Hyde Bailey’s mission with one of the elite bachelor’s in communications programs in New York that ranked 24th nationally on Niche.
Communication Major
Upholding the Big Red Check of Integrity, Cornell’s Communication Major boasts a 93.3 percent graduation rate for B.S. students who’ve learned the social processes for ethically influencing public opinion. The 120-credit curriculum outlined by Dr. Poppy McLeod currently bills $52,853 annually for four focus areas: Environment Science & Health, Media Studies, Social Media, or Information Technologies. Majors might also attend COMMConnect, stream WVBR 93.5FM, publish The Thread, consult via Slope Media, join Forensics Society, and enter the Eastman-Rice Contest.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Mann Library 485
237 Mann Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 254-8896
plm29@cornell.edu
CUNY Baruch College
Weissman School of Arts & Sciences
Known for its Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence Program, CUNY Baruch College is a public, selective coed branch among Education Trust’s “standout institutions” that’s grown a $169 million endowment since 1919 to serve 18,289 Bearcats speaking 130+ languages in Gramercy. Baruch was picked America’s 20th most diverse campus by the U.S. News & World Report, 43rd top public value in Kiplinger’s, and 10th best location on The Princeton Review. The Weissman School of Arts & Sciences splits into 13 departments, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York City, with 89.8 percent freshman retention.
BA in Communication Studies
Launched in 2014, Baruch’s BA in Communication Studies has drawn 131 undergrads devoted to examining the methods to mediate productive talks on differing views. The 30-credit major informed by Dr. Jana O’Keefe Bazzoni charges $6,330 to $13,920 yearly to follow four tracks: Rhetoric & Public Advocacy, Digital Communication & Culture, Intercultural & International Communication, or Interpersonal & Group Communication. Learners could also produce The Ticker, run WBMB 94.3FM, join Chinese Club, exchange to Bilkent University, and intern at Nickelodeon.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Newman Vertical Campus 8241
One Bernard M. Baruch Way
New York, NY 10010
(646) 312-3728
Jana.OKeefeBazzoni@baruch.cuny.edu
CUNY Brooklyn College
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Partnered with Steiner Studios for the Barry R. Feirstein Graduate Film School, CUNY Brooklyn College is a senior public, coed branch designed by Randolph Evans in 1932 that’s budgeting $122.2 million to enlighten 17,803 Bulldogs in 83 degrees at its 13-building Midwood campus. Brooklyn was declared America’s 110th best public college in Forbes, 43rd top value in Money magazine, and 10th best university for race/class interaction by The Princeton Review. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences formed one of the interdisciplinary bachelor’s in communications programs in New York that ranked 310th nationally on Niche for median earnings of $43,500.
B.A. Degree in Communication
Directed by Dr. Susan Longtin, a 2013 CUNY Research Award recipient, Brooklyn’s B.A. Degree in Communication traces the historical oral traditions of diverse societies to better understand today’s culture. The 33-credit, tiered major divides traditional courses into Visual & Media Studies or Interpersonal & Intercultural Communication tracks for $7,040 to $14,430 annually. Undergrads can intern at iHeart Radio, edit The Excelsior, use the BCTV Production Lab, become Mellon Mays Fellows, attend the Women’s Empowerment Summit, visit Capri, and join Debate Team too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Boylan Hall 3439
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
(718) 951-5225
slongtin@brooklyn.cuny.edu
CUNY City College
Division of Humanities
Gifting $69.73 million yearly, including the Bert Saperstein Communication Scholarship, CUNY City College is the system’s oldest, flagship senior branch that’s educating 16,544 Beavers of 153 nations across 73 majors at its 37-acre, Gothic-style Hamilton Heights hub with the Center for Journalism. CCNY was ranked America’s 111th best university by the ARWU, 128th top public college on Forbes, and 29th most socially mobile school in Washington Monthly. The Division of Humanities accepts an average SAT score of 1160 in another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York City that ranked 290th nationally on Niche.
Media and Communication Arts B.A.
Equipped with state-of-the-art Final Cut Pro software, CCNY’s Media and Communication Arts B.A. immerses 400+ majors in hands-on training to accurately represent resourced facts via various technological means. The 54-credit major led by Dr. Jerry Carlson narrows courses costing $295 to $890 per credit into two emphases: Advertising & Public Relations or Film & Video. Undergrads could also engage in the Documentary Forum, attend Rifkind Center seminars, produce SAME-TV, publish The Campus, join Amateur Radio Society, and present at Cityvisions.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Shepard Hall 472
160 Convent Avenue
New York, NY 10031
(212) 650-7167
mca@ccny.cuny.edu
CUNY Lehman College
Department of Journalism, Communication and Theatre
Awarded a 2015 Emmy for its Best of The Bronx series, CUNY Lehman College is a public, co-ed liberal arts branch founded by Leonard Lief that’s teaching 11,850 Lightning in 51 majors and producing $13.4 million in research at its 37-acre, tree-lined Jerome Park campus. Lehman was congratulated for America’s 174th most selective admission on Niche, 222nd best investment in Forbes, and fifth top graduation rate by Washington Monthly. The Department of Journalism, Communication and Theatre was ranked 302nd nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York with 50 years of experience.
Media Communication Studies B.A.
Open for admission until February 1st, Lehman’s Media Communication Studies B.A. has 32 percent acceptance for 21st-century scholars called to protect the freedom of the press with trustworthy media representation. The 43-credit major overseen by Dr. Thomas O’Hanlon ends with an independent project after courses like Cinema Aesthetics, Multilingual Media, and Digital Culture. Students could also write for The Meridian, broadcast Underground Radio, intern at Marjora Carter Group, become Chips Quinn Scholars, declare Pre-Law, and join Animation Club.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Carman Hall 263
250 Bedford Park Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 960-8217
jct@lehman.cuny.edu
CUNY Queens College
Arts and Humanities Division
Stocking 800,000+ books in Benjamin Rosenthal Library, CUNY Queens College is a public, four-year ECC branch and top Fulbright Scholar producer founded in 1937 that’s budgeting $169 million to nurture 16,326 undergrad Knights at its 77-acre Kew Gardens Hills location. Queens was crowned America’s 367th top university by Times Higher Education, 13th most stone-cold sober school in The Princeton Review, and 51st best value on Forbes. The Arts and Humanities Division was ranked 248th nationally on Niche for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York requiring 135-hour internships at Domani Studios, CBS, Dow Jones, HarperCollins, and more.
BA in Media Studies
Currently charging $3,365 to $6,450 each term full-time, the BA in Media Studies lets Queens undergrads test-drive the print and digital vehicles utilized to transmit high-impact materials to global audiences. The 42-credit major chaired by Dr. Richard Maxwell, the 1998 CUNY Presidential Mini-Grant for Innovative Teaching winner, spans classes from Principles of Sound to American Film. Other opportunities include running Knight News, entertaining on WQMC 1290AM, joining Speech Society, contributing to the Memory Project, touring Seoul, and minoring in Urban Studies.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
G Building 100
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11367
(718) 997-2950
richard.maxwell@qc.cuny.edu
CUNY York College
Department of Performing and Fine Arts
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of its 1,372-seat Milton G. Bassin Center, CUNY York College is a public, baccalaureate TMCF member dedicated to “Sapere Aude Incipe!” that’s allocated $10 million to revitalize a 50-acre Jamaica campus for serving 8,000 Cardinals in 44 fields. York was labeled America’s 209th most liberal college on Niche, 218th top university in Washington Monthly, and second most debt-free school by the Student Loan Report. The Department of Performing and Fine Arts presently prices one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New York with a 16:1 engagement ratio at $6,958 to $14,348 yearly.
Communications Technology (BS)
Retaining 74 percent of freshmen, York’s Communications Technology (BS) sets the scene for fast-growing careers utilizing advanced software to produce inventive imagery that captures audience attention. The 46-credit major coordinated by Dr. Margaret Vendryes, a 2011 Bombay Sapphire Artisans Series Finalist, splits into Digital Video, Computer Graphics, and Systems & Applications options. Students might also intern with NFL Films, access the Makerspace Lab, attend the Arts Festival, publish Pandora’s Box, join Fourth Floor Productions, and explore Moldova.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Academic Core 1A12
94-20 Guy Brewer Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11451
(718) 262-2400
MVendryes@york.cuny.edu
Don’t stop your search in the U.S. News & World Report’s 14th best state for higher education yet. Continue here:
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