[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 11 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.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in Florida. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,669. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $58,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $43,508. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $44,331 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $30,850. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida College earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Temple Terrace, Florida College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,360. Students borrow a median of $16,134 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida College generally make around $40,888. Set against $16,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Bethune Cookman University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,794 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bethune Cookman University earn a median of $25,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Flagler College St Augustine landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,900. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,434. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Flagler College St Augustine admits about 81% of applicants.
Southeastern University earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,983. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern University admits about 53% of applicants.
Full Sail University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $31,211. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lynn University came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,480. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $46,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 74% 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
