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2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

168 Ranked Colleges
10,266 Degrees Awarded
$7,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Communication & Media Studies is the 82nd most popular major in the country with 10,266 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 168 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 446 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It costs about $5,729 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 189 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,857 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Florida.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UF

3

Out of the 168 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 8 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,788 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Madison

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 456 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,061 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at IU Bloomington

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6

University of California - Berkeley came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 268 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Berkeley

7

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $5,632 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full USF Tampa Communication & Media Studies Report

8
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

Hunter College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 164 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Hunter is $2,135 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Hunter Communication & Media Studies Report

9

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,609 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Communication & Media Studies Report

10

Florida International University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 253 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $4,882 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full FIU Communication & Media Studies Report

11

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,701 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

12

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 92 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UT Rio Grande Valley is $2,912 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Rio Grande Valley

13
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $10,688 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Georgia

14
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 128 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,524 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Queens College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Queens College

15

The University of West Florida ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is a fairly large public school situated in Pensacola, Florida. It awarded 98 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The University of West Florida is $3,827 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of West Florida

16

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,324 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMSL.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Communication & Media Studies Report

17
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Vassar College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Vassar is a private not-for-profit institution located in Poughkeepsie, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Vassar is $13,193 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Vassar

18
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York

With a ranking of #18, Nassau Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Nassau Community College is located in Garden City, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Nassau Community College is $3,889 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Nassau Community College

19
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 320 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It costs about $15,170 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Michigan State University Communication & Media Studies Report

20

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNLV is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 133 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,602 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNLV.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

21

Brigham Young University - Provo came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, BYU is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $10,333 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Communication & Media Studies Report

22

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 262 students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,403 for Media Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Louisiana State University

23

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 264 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Communication & Media Studies Report

24
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 43 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Wazzu also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $8,719 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Washington State University Communication & Media Studies Report

25

University of Colorado Boulder ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boulder, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend CU - Boulder is $13,901 for media studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Colorado Boulder

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26

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