Princeton Review

According to The Princeton Review website, the company interviews thousands of students each year to determine their rankings. Their survey features more than 80 questions and is divided into several sections including: "About Yourself," "Your School's Academics/Administration," "Students," and "Life at Your School."

Of the 123 "western" schools listed, 21 were selected from the 74 public and private colleges and universities in Texas. In addition to SHSU, others included Baylor, Rice, Southern Methodist, TCU, Texas State-San Marcos, Texas Tech, UT, and A&M.

The "Best of the West" included colleges in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Princeton Review ranked Communication Studies as one of the Top 10 Most Popular College Majors. Here’s what they had to say:

8. Communication. A graduation speech, an infomercial, a protest in the park: any of these are great material for a communications major who needs to write a paper. In this program, students learn how certain messages influence individual and group behavior, as well as how our reactions reflect the underlying values of society. You'll spend a significant amount of time studying different kinds of speaking and writing and the strategies people use to make their points and drive them home. You'll take a look at verbal and nonverbal messages, audience reaction, and the varied effects of different communication environments. Communication theory will play a part too, as you delve into monumental speeches, revolutionary political campaigns, radical social movements, and the trends in news reporting. With your degree, you may choose to pursue a career in business, public relations, advertising, human resources, government, education, media, or social services.