[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 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 8 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.
Leading the list is Bunker Hill Community College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Massachusetts. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,235. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salem State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Fisher College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,689 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,625. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fisher College earn a median of $38,510 early in their careers. Set against $27,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $43,168. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Suffolk University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $57,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Dean College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,526 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,969. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dean College generally make around $30,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
