[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 386 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,996. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. 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%.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for communication & media studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,956. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Murray State University earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,420. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,624. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $32,365. Set against $20,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $24,777 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,150. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,530 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $46,747 early in their careers. Set against $22,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Washington State University landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $61,853. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,759. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $36,569. Set against $21,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
San Diego State University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,675 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $50,487. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $29,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,706. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $39,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $30,772 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,258. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $43,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, 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 $46,561. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $45,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Tennessee State University came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $38,842. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $39,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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), 2026 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 · 386 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
