[Comm PhD: Iowa v. CU Boulder]

Trying to decide on a PhD in Communication at either University of Iowa or University of Colorado-Boulder. 

I'm most interested in studying media and religion, media theory and media history. 

Iowa certainly has a stronger tradition and richer history within the field. Iowa has better placement (very high rate for those seeking tenure-track). But Iowa only has one professor with media and religion experience (and he's an all star: John Peters). 

CU Boulder is a newer, less-established program. It can't compete with Iowa's placement, reputation or legacy. BUT, it has a Center for Media, Religion and Culture and a professor there (Stewart Hoover) running the Center with another professor co-directing. The Center also has additional, outside funding and is well connected with other schools through conferences on the subject of media and religion. 

My decision, then, is in part between a better, more established program with one brilliant professor and a less-known school with a one-of-a-kind research center on the topic I'm most interested in. 

In some ways I'm asking an old question about working with one intellectual soul mate or with a handful of good academic friends.

*Also, Iowa is Comm Studies and CU boulder is in Journalism and Mass Comm (not sure how this will affect my job outlook (hoping to teach at a university))

** I've also been accepted to U of Illinois-Chicago and wait-listed at Pittsburgh and UNC. (but Iowa and CU are my top picks)

 

Thoughts about the comparison? What is more important in the long run (job wise)?

 

Thanks in advance