Published on September 12, 2016 by Jackie Long  
Samford JMC was ranked #1 in Alabama
Samford JMC was ranked #1 in Alabama

Samford University’s Journalism and Mass Communication Department was again named the number one journalism program in the state of Alabama by College Factual. Overall, the Samford JMC department ranks 48th in the United States.

Additionally, JMC was named the following:

• A top 25 “most focused” program. “The journalism students at these colleges represent the largest percent of the student body,” the College Factual website explains. “Why should you care? Schools that focus their resources on a specific field may provide you with a better education in this area than those that do not.”

• A top 35 “best value” program. “Do you have to pay top dollar to get a great degree in journalism?” the College Factual website asks. “Not if you are armed with this list. These rankings identify schools that offer a quality education in this major for a price that won’t break the bank.”

• A top five program among southern universities, outperforming nearly all state universities.

“I believe Samford JMC is the best program at a private Christian university in the country,” said Dr. Bernie Ankney, chair of the JMC department. “We offer award-winning programs in print journalism, broadcast journalism, public relations and advertising. We also have minors in film production and sports media. I’d match our program and our students with anyone.”

The department started the fall 2016 semester with 180 enrolled majors, including 38 freshmen. It is one of the fastest growing majors at Samford.

“Samford JMC is a growing major and nationally ranked because our students receive a first-rate education at a reasonable cost,” Ankney said. “Our students also graduate in four years and get good jobs. It is the ideal program for students who want individual attention and smaller class sizes.”

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.