2027 Best Value Communications Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) 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 206 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.
What’s on this page:
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in communications in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Communications graduates carry a median of $7,892 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,367. Set against $7,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for communications. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,827. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for communications. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Communications graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Communications graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $29,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Florida landed the #6 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,345. Communications graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $36,842 early in their careers. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,207. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $36,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #8 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #9 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #10 for value in communications this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $37,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $14,568. Early-career communications graduates make about $33,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Latter Day Saints Business College earned the #12 position for value in communications this year. Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Texas A And M International University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $22,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,100 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,322 to complete the communications program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #16 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $22,923 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $34,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Davis came in at #17 for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #18 spot for communications value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Communications graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $41,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #20 among the best values for communications. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,669. Communications graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $32,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University placed #21 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $53,733. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College came in at #22 for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,953. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #24 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $30,250. Communications graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $35,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #25 spot for communications value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,766. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communications:
Other Communications Degree Levels
Explore the best-value communications schools at other degree levels:
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 206 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 206 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.
