Deciphering the attraction of studying in the US in Communication

Globally recognized qualifications

One of the reasons why studying in the U.S. for Communication is the first choice for many international students is the international value of the degree. Most Communication programs in the United States are built on high academic standards, meeting the strict requirements of the international media industry. This not only opens up opportunities for you to work in multinational corporations, but also facilitates when you want to study at higher levels in many other countries.

Modern and flexible curriculum

Studying in the United States in Communication also attracts students because of its extremely modern and flexible curriculum. Schools are always trying to keep up with the latest technology trends in teaching, from the application of AI to the use of VR/AR to create interactive media experiences. Not only will you be equipped with solid theoretical knowledge, but you will also be trained in practical skills through simulation projects, internships at leading media companies, and working with industry experts.

Not only stopping at traditional fields such as journalism, advertising, and PR, you can also choose a major or combine subjects such as Communication with Marketing, Political Communication or Media Analytics, depending on your passion and career orientation.

Wide range of career opportunities

With the strong development of the media industry in the US, the demand for highly qualified media professionals is always high. Students after graduation are often highly valued by employers for their professional knowledge, work skills, and ability to adapt to the international working environment. This makes it easy to find good jobs with competitive salaries, especially in big cities.

Comprehensive Skills Development Platform

The U.S. curriculum is designed to help you practice both hard skills and soft skills. Throughout your studies, you will develop creative thinking skills through communication campaign design projects and improve your analytical and research skills by evaluating sources and analyzing data. At the same time, the dynamic learning environment in the U.S. also helps you develop important soft skills such as leadership skills, communication skills, problem-solving, time management, and cross-cultural communication.

Educational Requirements

For those of you who are pursuing a Bachelor's program, you need to meet the basic requirements including:

• High School Graduation

• IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 68

• Meet the health and financial conditions required by the school

In addition, universities in the US often have other requirements such as:

• Personal Statement: This is an opportunity for you to express yourself, your academic goals, and your experiences related to the Communication industry.

• Letters of Recommendation: Some schools will require letters of recommendation from teachers or administrators to assess your abilities and qualities.

• Other requirements (depending on the school): Some schools may require additional standardized tests (

  SAT/

  ACT

  for undergraduate, GRE/GMAT if you are in graduate school), interviews, or portfolios.

The above score is the basic condition for you to be able to study the main courses at the university. However, if your English level does not meet this requirement, you can still enroll in the school's English courses to fully equip yourself with language skills before entering the formal curriculum.

Skill Requirements

To study communication in the US, in addition to academic achievements, you also need to equip yourself with the right qualities such as:

• Communication skills

• Academic and creative writing skills

• Presentation of ideas, teamwork and discussion skills

• Adaptability and cultural understanding

• Time management skills and self-learning spirit

In the United States, the specific tuition fee will vary depending on the regulations of each communication school, academic ranking, and the major you choose to study. When studying communication in the US, you need to have financial preparation suitable for your level of study and the specifics of each school:

• Bachelor's Program: Tuition fees can range from 12,000 to 50,000 USD/year

• Graduate Programs (Master's, PhD): Tuition fees can range from $20,000 to $50,000 USD/year.

In addition to tuition fees, you need to prepare an annual living fee, estimated at between 23,000 and 45,000 USD/year. The cost of living will vary significantly depending on the city you choose to study in, the type of housing, and your spending habits. Major cities such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco often have a higher cost of living than other areas.

University of Massachusetts

The Communication program at UMass Amherst provides a strong foundation in the study of various aspects of communication, including interpersonal communication, small group communication, mass communication, and intercultural communication. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, UMass Amherst ranks #101-150 in the world for Communication and Media Studies.

In addition to the traditional curriculum, UMass Amherst offers you a variety of interdisciplinary training programs that combine Communication and Journalism, Film Studies, Marketing, and Public Relations. The university also has an extensive alumni network in many fields, giving students an advantage when pursuing a career in the media field.

Stanford University

Stanford University is the first choice for those who want to study communication in the US with a high academic orientation, technology integration and in-depth research on society – politics – digital media. The university is currently ranked #4 among the best national universities in the US (US News 2025) and 6th worldwide (QS Ranking 2025)

The majors in Communication at Stanford focus not only on theory, but also on global communication, cross-cultural communication, and the social impact of communication technology around the world. Most students are encouraged to participate in research activities right from the Bachelor's level, with the support of the Stanford Social Media Lab, Political Communication Lab, Digital Civil Society Lab

Harvard University

Harvard University offers you a variety of unique options for exploring the field through interdisciplinary programs, affiliated schools, and extracurricular activities. You can choose to study programs such as Comparative Media Studies, Film and Visual Studies or Media Studies in the Department of History of Science, depending on your passion and orientation.

Northwestern University

Northwestern University is known for its comprehensive and robust communications program, having a School of Communication in the Global Top 10 and a Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications.

The university has strong relationships with leading media and newspaper companies such as The Washington Post, The New York Times or Leo Burnett, providing internship and post-graduation networking opportunities for students.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is renowned for its Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, one of the globally recognized schools for the quality of training and research in the fields of communication, journalism, and public relations. The university also invests heavily in the construction of cutting-edge research labs such as the Annenberg Innovation Lab and the Norman Lear Center, which give students the opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research projects.

See also: Top 15 Famous Universities in the US in 2025

Pursuing a Communication major in the U.S. not only equips you with an in-depth knowledge base but also explores countless potential career opportunities in the future. In particular, international students can take advantage of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to gain practical work experience in the U.S. for a period of 1 to 3 years after completion course, based on the level of study and field of study.

Communication graduates in the US can try themselves in many different professions, such as:

• Advertising and Marketing: You will use your communication skills, content creation, brand storytelling, and understanding of consumer behavior to build effective marketing campaigns.

• Public Relations (PR) & Communication: Build and maintain a positive image for the organization, brand, or individual in front of the public, customers, media, and stakeholders.

• Journalism & Mass Communication: It is a field specializing in producing, distributing and verifying information for the public on many platforms: print newspapers, television, radio, social networks and digital platforms.

Media Data Analysis & Market Research: When working in this field, you will use technology tools and analytical thinking to track, interpret, and forecast media trends, consumer behavior, and brand performance.