2027 Best Value Communications Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in communications in the United States. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $11,956. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for communications. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Communications graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Communications graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $70,112. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at University Of Wisconsin Parkside, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $37,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Arkansas State University Main Campus one of the best values for communications. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,250. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,192. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #6 spot for communications value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $41,402. That is a strong return on a $22,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $43,587. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,159 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $35,035. Set against $25,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Arizona State University placed #9 among the best values for communications. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,500. Communications graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #10 spot for communications value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $31,169 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University placed #11 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $45,444. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #12 position for value in communications this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $37,002. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $47,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,798. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,782. Communications graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $43,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,782 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Drury University came in at #16 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $37,267. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,666. That is a strong return on a $24,063 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Asbury University placed #18 among the best values for communications. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $28,104. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $50,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Grand Canyon University earned the #19 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $48,139 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
National University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Communications graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $55,730. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Boston University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,108. Communications graduates of Boston University earn a median of $34,000 early in their careers. Set against $25,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Stevenson University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $42,647 early in their careers. Set against $27,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College came in at #23 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $58,260. That is a strong return on a $27,441 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University placed #24 among the best values for communications. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $42,055 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Lasell College placed #25 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $55,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Communications Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communications value ranking:
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
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
