[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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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.
Our analysis ranked South Dakota State University the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in South Dakota. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,173. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Dakota earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Sioux Falls one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,103. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $46,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,103 median debt. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
