2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for communications in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $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 Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #3 place for communications. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $29,702. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Towson University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Towson University earn a median of $42,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Mercy College came in at #6 for value in communications this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,079. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Frostburg State University landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $28,720. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #8 position for value in communications this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $20,537. Early-career communications graduates make about $60,047. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #9 spot for communications value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $28,263. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,872. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #10 for value in communications this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $31,881. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for communications value this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
La Salle University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $26,924 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,127. Set against $26,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utica College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Communications graduates of Utica College earn a median of $23,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in communications this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Le Moyne College earned the #15 position for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,330. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $34,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Suny College At Cortland landed the #16 spot for communications value this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Students borrow a median of $23,874 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $34,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #17 among the best values for communications. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $34,772. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,307. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. That is a strong return on a $26,307 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University landed the #19 spot for communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,241. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Communications graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $31,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $25,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College landed the #22 spot for communications value this year. Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Washington. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,584. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #23 spot for communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $37,151. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Manhattan College earned the #24 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $61,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Stevenson University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $42,647. Set against $27,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communications this year:
Narrow Communications Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
