Forbes has announced their Best Online Communications Master’s Degree, and it is Johns Hopkins University’s MA in Communication program.
In December 2025, Forbes evaluated 171 accredited institutions in the U.S. and ranked the JHU MA in Communication graduate degree as their No. 1 program. Key factors cited for this selection were the ability to significantly customize the curriculum, a tie for the lowest student-to-faculty ratio, and the distinction as the only university on their list to offer a dual degree combining the MA in Communication with the MBA program.
“This recognition from Forbes affirms and validates what our students experience every day at Johns Hopkins – a robust, cutting-edge curriculum that integrates writing, research, technology, and strategy and prioritizes student learning geared toward practitioner skillsets,” said Taylor Hahn, JHU’s Program Director.
“Students can declare up to two concentrations from the six that we offer,” he continued. “They receive instruction from renowned experts and top communicators, a collection of social scientists, industry practitioners, and academics who are constantly revising their courses to stay current with new trends and topics in the field. Our students also benefit from learning alongside other accomplished and creative peers from diverse backgrounds around the world through an engaging online platform that Johns Hopkins has perfected.”
About The Ranking
Forbes’ methodology weighted the evaluation of these nonprofit colleges using 15 data points in categories of student experience (40%), credibility (20%), affordability (20%), student outcomes (15%), and application process (5%). Data was collected in November 2025 from reliable sources including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.