[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 5 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in Missouri. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,326. 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. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,584. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lindenwood University one of the best values for communication & media studies. 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. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $28,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Webster University earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $55,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
