[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Kokomo the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $31,085 early in their careers. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,063 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $43,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,063 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $39,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University East earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,462. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $37,463. That is a strong return on a $24,462 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Indiana University Southeast, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $26,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,213. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $45,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,860. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $17,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,094. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $39,367. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Governors State University earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $27,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $36,700. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,759. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,569. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $26,543 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $38,040. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $37,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $33,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $40,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $59,618. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $41,670 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Michigan University came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Otterbein University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,207. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,390. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
