
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mcneese State University earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in Louisiana. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $25,131. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Nicholls State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,508. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Louisiana Lafayette one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Xavier University Of Louisiana earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New Orleans, Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,979. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,777. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Xavier University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,854. That is a strong return on a $26,777 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $43,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Grambling State University placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. Students borrow a median of $36,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $27,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Southern University And A And M College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,922, with out-of-state students paying around $17,272. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,304. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
Dillard University earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,734. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Dillard University earn a median of $18,155 early in their careers. Set against $34,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,082. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $53,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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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 · 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.