[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 258 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
Finding the Best Value Communication & Media Studies School for You
The communication & media studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,669. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,262. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,918. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $49,991. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Orange Coast College earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,623. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $32,484. That is a strong return on a $14,623 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Foothill College landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $44,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $26,437. That is a strong return on a $8,643 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,016. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,433. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $31,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fullerton College landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Snow College came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berea College placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $30,663. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,180 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
Communication & Media Studies Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Communication & Media Studies. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 258 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 258 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
