by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 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.
Berea College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in Kentucky. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,663. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of The Cumberlands, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,331. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,754. Set against $19,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lindsey Wilson College earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,769. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $25,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.