[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 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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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.
Saint Cloud State University tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $40,279 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,326 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,326 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,875. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rochester Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $27,798. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,387. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,558 early in their careers. Set against $19,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,395. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,325. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,833. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $40,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Winona State University landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $38,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $38,584. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,798. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $50,346. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $35,792 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Loras College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Students borrow a median of $25,166 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Loras College earn a median of $36,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #17 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,750. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,103. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,956. That is a strong return on a $26,103 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,499. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $59,409 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $55,445. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wartburg College placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 76% 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
