Is Colgate or Boston University better for communications majors?

Boston University is the better pick for communications. BU has a much more established communications infrastructure through the College of Communication, with dedicated majors and concentrations in areas like media, public relations, film and television, journalism, and advertising. Colgate is a strong liberal arts school, but it does not have the same depth, scale, or professional specialization in communications.

One major difference is the academic setup. At BU, communications is a central academic strength, and students benefit from faculty working directly in media and communication fields, specialized courses, student media, and a curriculum built around industry-facing skills. At Colgate, you would get a broader liberal arts education with strong writing and discussion-based classes, but not the same level of direct preprofessional communications training.

Internships and job access also lean toward BU because of location. Being in Boston gives students easier access during the school year to media companies, PR firms, nonprofits, startups, and major employers. Colgate students can absolutely land internships, especially with alumni support, but Hamilton is much more isolated, so opportunities are less immediate and often require summer planning rather than ongoing in-semester experience.

For career preparation, BU is simply closer to the communications industries most students want to enter. If your goal is to graduate with hands-on experience, a strong portfolio, and clearer pathways into media, marketing, PR, or related fields, BU offers more direct advantages. Colgate makes more sense only if you strongly prefer a small liberal arts environment and are comfortable building a communications path in a less specialized setting.