[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 9 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 Snow College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,440. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado State University Pueblo one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $31,769. That is a strong return on a $22,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Mesa State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,036. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $32,899. That is a strong return on a $23,036 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $32,815. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,647. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $38,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,095. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $37,954. That is a strong return on a $23,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $39,738 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Denver landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,009. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
