[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 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.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat University Of Florida this year. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $56,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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 University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,530. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,624 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $32,365 early in their careers. Set against $20,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,521. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $33,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,675. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Washington State University earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $61,853. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $55,436. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,329. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $29,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $57,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $22,530 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $36,569. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,561. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $30,772. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,387 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,558. That is a strong return on a $19,387 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,543 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,543 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $37,286 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Grand Valley State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $48,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,993. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $49,614. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
Explore the best-value communication & media studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >
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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
