[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Indiana University Kokomo, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Indiana. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,619. 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%.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $26,777. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Indiana University East, which ranked #3. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,462 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University South Bend is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $38,094. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $34,213. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,860 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $36,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Evansville earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Depauw University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $43,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
