by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in communications, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,075. Early-career communications graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #2 place for communications. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Las Positas College earned it the #4 place for communications. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Palomar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
University Of California San Diego placed #6 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #7 position for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,018. Early-career communications graduates make about $46,598. Set against $13,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Fullerton College earned the #8 position for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Los Angeles Valley College placed #10 among the best values for communications. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $81,600. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Davis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,569. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Rio Hondo College placed #12 among the best values for communications. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. 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. Early-career communications graduates make about $95,666. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nevada State College came in at #13 for value in communications this year. Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $6,765 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,833. Students borrow a median of $25,892 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Nevada State College earn a median of $52,519 early in their careers. Set against $25,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nevada State College admits about 87% of applicants.
Central Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,572 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $35,820. That is a strong return on a $18,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,111. Early-career communications graduates make about $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Saint Martins University earned the #16 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. Communications graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific earned the #17 position for value in communications this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,485 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $28,292. That is a strong return on a $20,485 median debt. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #18 position for value in communications this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $36,162. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
John Paul The Great Catholic University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the suburb of Escondido, John Paul The Great Catholic University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,265. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,925 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $27,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
National University placed #20 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from National University generally make around $55,730. That is a strong return on a $30,426 median debt.
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #21 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $35,356. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego landed the #22 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $40,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Communications graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $58,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
The Masters College And Seminary earned the #24 position for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $29,015. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Pepperdine University earned the #25 position for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,918. Students borrow a median of $19,667 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $48,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,667 median debt. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communications value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.