Is UMass Amherst or Fordham better for an undergraduate communications major?

Fordham has the edge for an undergraduate communications student whose priority is direct preparation for media, public relations, marketing, journalism, or content-focused careers.

The location is Fordham’s clearest career advantage. Manhattan access places students near national news organizations, agencies, entertainment companies, publishers, nonprofits, and corporate communications offices; regular networking events, informational interviews, and part-time internships are more practical when they do not require relocating for the summer.

UMass Amherst offers a respected Communication major with a stronger large-public-university feel and meaningful opportunities in media studies, communication research, public discourse, and campus-based involvement. Its Department of Communication can be an especially good academic fit for a student interested in analyzing media, culture, technology, persuasion, or social interaction, and the broader Five College area adds courses and intellectual communities beyond UMass itself.

For hands-on portfolio building, Fordham’s established media outlets and city access tend to make it easier to accumulate clips, audio work, social content, event coverage, or internship experience before graduation. UMass students can build experience through campus media and pursue internships in Boston, New York, or elsewhere, but those opportunities usually take more advance planning and travel. Cost should still matter: a significantly lower in-state UMass price can outweigh Fordham’s professional-location advantage, especially if the savings leave room for unpaid internships, summer programs, or graduate study.