2027 Best Value Communications Schools
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communications education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 237 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
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Finding the Best Value Communications School for You
Where you study communications affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Communications Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Communications Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
For return on investment in communications, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Communications graduates carry a median of $7,892 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Communications graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for communications. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,075. Communications graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Santa Ana College, which ranked #4. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Communications graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $38,912. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $16,097. Communications graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #8 for value in communications this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,500. Early-career communications graduates make about $29,702. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,345. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,842. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,207 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,941. Set against $13,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Palomar College landed the #11 spot for communications value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Las Positas College placed #12 among the best values for communications. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Fullerton College landed the #13 spot for communications value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #14 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $10,112. Early-career communications graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Communications graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $26,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #16 among the best values for communications. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College landed the #17 spot for communications value this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $10,440. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Oakland University placed #18 among the best values for communications. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $37,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #19 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Communications graduates carry a median of $14,568 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,046. Set against $14,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Latter Day Saints Business College landed the #20 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Texas A And M International University landed the #21 spot for communications value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Communications graduates carry a median of $17,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. That is a strong return on a $17,100 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College landed the #22 spot for communications value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Communications graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #24 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,322. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Set against $24,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #25 among the best values for communications. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,923. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $37,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communications:
Narrow Communications Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Communications. See all related rankings.
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 · 237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 237 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.
