[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 16 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.
The University Of Texas Pan American tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in Texas. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,956. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,270. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $44,862. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Midwestern State University, which ranked #3. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $15,021 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,743. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,777 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $28,247. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $27,707. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $40,730. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $38,783. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $34,589. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Texas Wesleyan University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University generally make around $59,434. That is a strong return on a $26,461 median debt. Texas Wesleyan University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor generally make around $34,282. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University placed #16 among the best values for communication & media studies. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $32,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
