[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $49,991. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Pembroke one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,663 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,411. Set against $29,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $30,559. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at North Carolina A And T State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,643. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $28,985. That is a strong return on a $27,643 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Asheville one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $27,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Winston Salem State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,096 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $24,899 early in their careers. Set against $27,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,662 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,750. That is a strong return on a $29,662 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Barton College earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,000. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,122. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,301. Set against $27,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barton College admits about 94% of applicants.
Elon University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
