The Broadcast Education Association once again ranked Elon University among the nation’s top programs, marking the institution’s fifth consecutive year inside the top 10.
Elon University’s School of Communications has earned a top-10 spot in the Broadcast Education Association’s (BEA) annual school rankings for the fifth consecutive year, a recognition based on student success in the prestigious Festival of Media Arts.
Elon ranked ninth overall in 2026, bolstered by a third-place national finish in the Student Audio category, which recognized 42 university and college media programs, and a fifth-place finish in the Student Film & Video category. Additionally, the school earned top-30 placements in Sports (No. 20), Documentary (No. 21) and News (No. 28).
The national ranking follows another successful year in the BEA Festival of Media Arts competition, where Elon students and faculty captured 13 awards across multiple categories.
Among the school’s top student finishes was Molly Clayton ’27, a cinema and television arts B.F.A. major, who placed third in the Narrative Audio category for “The Timebomb Podcast.” The project explores the roots and history of NASCAR in rural North Carolina and was recognized for its storytelling and production quality.
“Our students continue to produce work that is thoughtful, technically strong and competitive on a national stage,” said Vic Costello, associate professor of cinema and television arts. “To see their projects recognized across so many categories speaks to both their talent and the collaborative culture we’ve built within the school.”
Costello, a current and founding member of the BEA Festival of Media Arts Advisory Committee, noted that the rankings are especially meaningful because they measure sustained student success over a five-year period and across multiple competition categories.
According to the BEA news release, the rankings are not an overall evaluation of an academic program, but an evaluation of the quality and consistency of students’ creative works produced at one institution compared to those at other institutions.
This year’s top-10 programs, in order, were University of Oklahoma, Syracuse University, Arizona State University, University of Florida, Ball State University, Taylor University, Huntington University, Missouri State University, Elon and University of Miami.
“We’re proud to see Elon continue to earn recognition alongside many of the nation’s most respected communications programs,” Costello said. “These rankings reflect the talent, ambition and professionalism of our students, as well as the mentorship and collaborative environment that help them thrive creatively.”
While there are no overarching national rankings for communications programs, Costello said Elon’s continued success in the BEA rankings reinforces the high caliber of work being produced throughout the school.
The Broadcast Education Association is the leading international academic media organization, promoting innovation, excellence in media production, and professional development for educators, students, and industry professionals. The BEA Festival of Media Arts honors outstanding work by both students and faculty from institutions around the world.