[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $31,419. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Community College Of Philadelphia one of the best values for communication & media studies. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $24,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,875. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $34,181 early in their careers. Set against $25,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $31,994. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,880 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $34,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Muhlenberg College earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $29,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $39,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Ursinus College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,061. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,420. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $34,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Villanova University placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,456. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
