2026 Best Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Instructional Media Design doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 385 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Capella University this year in the United States. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Capella University posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. See the full Capella University profile
The strong Instructional Media Design programs at Lehigh University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Lehigh University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $23,008 in debt. Get the full Lehigh University report
You'll be in good company at Towson University, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Towson University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. Read the full report on Towson University
A rank of #4 makes Iowa State University one of the top choices in the United States. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read the full report on Iowa State University
Out of the 385 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Georgia landed the #5 spot. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #6 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. More on Syracuse University
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Based in Dekalb, IL, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Northern Illinois University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $25,209 in debt. More on Northern Illinois University
Brigham Young University Provo placed #9 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,688. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $12,184. Get the full Brigham Young University Provo report
Boise State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Based in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $24,311. More on Boise State University
Duquesne University placed #11 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Duquesne University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. More on Duquesne University
Kennesaw State University placed #12 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Read more about Kennesaw State University
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $20,542. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Florida State University placed #14 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $20,488. Get the full Florida State University report
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #15 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. University Of Hawaii At Manoa Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $20,577 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Sam Houston State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
Central Michigan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
Michigan State University placed #18 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $25,213 in debt. Read more about Michigan State University
Utah State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. This public school is set in Logan, UT. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $16,191. Read more about Utah State University
University Of North Texas placed #20 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Texas
Texas Tech University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $24,271. See the full Texas Tech University profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $23,530. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Wayne State University placed #23 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Based in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $26,689. Get the full Wayne State University report
West Virginia University placed #24 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. More on West Virginia University
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Roughly 16% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. See the full University Of Phoenix Arizona profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Pepperdine University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $23,645. Get the full Pepperdine University report
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school based in Athens, OH. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,056. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $36,416. More on Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. This public school is set in Hattiesburg, MS. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $25,415. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
Idaho State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Set in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $24,640. Read the full report on Idaho State University
Howard College
Howard College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. See the full Howard College profile
New York University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. More on New York University
National University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on National University
Baker University
Baker University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. See the full Baker University profile
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #35 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. See the full Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania profile
Boston University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Read more about Boston University
California State University Sacramento landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. See the full Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College profile
Urbe University
Urbe University placed #39 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. More on Urbe University
Morehead State University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Morehead State University report
Jacksonville University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Get the full Jacksonville University report
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College placed #42 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. See the full City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College profile
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater report
Saint Vincent College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Saint Vincent College
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #45 among Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Academy Of Art University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Get the full Academy Of Art University report
Saint Leo University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Read more about Saint Leo University
Midamerica Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Midamerica Nazarene University report
Clemson University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. See the full Clemson University profile
Martin Luther College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Instructional Media Design schools. Get the full Martin Luther College report
Related Instructional Media Design Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Instructional Media Design Schools (All Levels)
- Best Instructional Media Design Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Instructional Media Design Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 385 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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