[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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.
Valdosta State University tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in Georgia. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,706. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Fort Valley State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,878. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $34,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $22,410. That is a strong return on a $34,000 median debt. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Albany State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $28,158. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $47,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $38,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Columbus State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Oglethorpe University earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,590. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $35,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
