Which is better for communications, Howard or Northwestern?

Northwestern is more widely regarded as the stronger choice for communications. Its School of Communication is one of the university’s signature academic units, with especially deep offerings in fields like media studies, theatre, performance, communication sciences, and communication theory. It also benefits from Northwestern’s long-established connections to journalism, entertainment, and media through the broader university ecosystem.

One major differentiator is program breadth and specialization. Northwestern offers a very extensive communications infrastructure, including specialized departments, cross-registration opportunities, and strong ties between communication, journalism, film, and performance. For a student who wants maximum flexibility within communications or access to a wide range of subfields, Northwestern usually provides more options under one roof.

Another difference is professional reach and industry access. Northwestern’s location near Chicago gives students regular access to internships, media organizations, arts institutions, and alumni networks in a major communications market. That tends to matter in communications, where internships, production experience, and networking often shape early career opportunities as much as coursework does.

Howard still stands out in important ways, especially if you care about studying communications in a setting with a strong Black intellectual tradition and a campus culture deeply connected to leadership, public voice, and social impact. Its Washington, DC location can be especially valuable for students interested in media, politics, public affairs, and communications tied to advocacy or government.