2027 Best Value Communications Associate’s Degree 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.
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2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communications Schools
For return on investment in communications, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $11,196. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #3 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. Communications graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Palomar College one of the best values for communications. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Las Positas College earned it the #5 place for communications. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Fullerton College landed the #6 spot for communications value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Snow College placed #8 among the best values for communications. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Latter Day Saints Business College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Tulsa Community College earned the #10 position for value in communications this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,789. Communications graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College came in at #12 for value in communications this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Capital Community College landed the #13 spot for communications value this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $12,059. Early-career communications graduates make about $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Communications graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $18,830. Early-career communications graduates make about $45,202. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College came in at #16 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Valley College placed #17 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $10,254. Communications graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #18 among the best values for communications. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Communications graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #19 spot for communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,752. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Phoenix College earned the #20 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Front Range Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,384. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Hondo College earned the #22 position for value in communications this year. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,510. Communications graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville landed the #23 spot for communications value this year. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,605. Communications graduates carry a median of $13,587 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $29,788. That is a strong return on a $13,587 median debt.
Other Communications Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Communications rankings across degree levels:
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
