If you are aspiring to pursue advanced studies in Communication and Media Studies, several universities in the United States offer full funding packages for graduate students. These typically include tuition waivers, stipends, health insurance, and research support. Below is a list of universities with excellent opportunities.
1. University of Oregon, United States
PhD students in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Oregon receive four years of consecutive graduate employee funding. The package includes a tuition waiver, partial student fee waiver, monthly stipend, and health insurance (also covering dependents). Master’s students occasionally have the opportunity to apply for GE funding as well.
https://journalism.uoregon.edu/scholarships-funding/graduate-funding
2. Texas Tech University, United States
All full-time PhD students are fully funded at Texas Tech University. Funding covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly stipend, and includes scholarships. However, international students are required to purchase health insurance separately.
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/graduate/phd/
3. Temple University, United States
At Temple University, doctoral applicants are automatically considered for a limited number of competitive fellowships and teaching assistantships as part of the admissions process.
https://klein.temple.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/graduate-funding
4. University of Iowa, United States
Admitted MA students are eligible for up to two years of funding, while most PhD students receive teaching assistantships with up to four years of support.
https://journalism.uiowa.edu/graduate/ma-phd-fa
5. University at Buffalo, United States
Funded PhD students at the University at Buffalo receive a stipend of $23,690 per academic year along with a full tuition waiver. Funding comes from teaching, research, or graduate assistantships with 10-month appointments.
https://www.buffalo.edu/cas/communication/graduate/funding.html
6. University of Pennsylvania, United States
All admitted PhD students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School receive four years of fellowship funding, which includes a stipend of $44,075 (2025–2026 academic year), full tuition, health insurance, and research/travel support of up to $1,700 annually. A fifth year of funding is also available after a successful dissertation proposal defense.
https://www.asc.upenn.edu/graduate/financial-support
7. Columbia University, United States
Columbia University offers PhD students a stipend for four to five years, along with tuition exemption for coursework (two to three years, depending on advanced standing).
https://journalism.columbia.edu/phd-communications
8. Northwestern University, United States
Northwestern University provides doctoral students with five years of funding. During the academic year, students are supported by graduate assistantships (with stipends and tuition waivers), while summer funding is provided through fellowships.
https://phdcommunication.northwestern.edu/admissions/financial-support