2026 Best Value Communications Associate’s Degree Schools
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 438 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in communications in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #2 place for communications. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for communications. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Las Positas College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Palomar College placed #6 among the best values for communications. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Capital Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Fullerton College landed the #8 spot for communications value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Snow College came in at #9 for value in communications this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Communications graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #10 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College earned the #11 position for value in communications this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,191. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #12 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Communications graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
Front Range Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the communications program here. 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 #14 position for value in communications this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $95,666. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $12,002. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #16 for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,996. Early-career communications graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #17 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Mesa Community College earned the #18 position for value in communications this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,750. Early-career communications graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #19 among the best values for communications. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the communications program here. 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.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #20 position for value in communications this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,084. Early-career communications graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #21 for value in communications this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $13,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College earned the #22 position for value in communications this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $16,465. Early-career communications graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Communications Degree Levels
Explore the best-value communications schools at other degree levels:
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 438 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
