2027 Best Value Communications Schools in Pennsylvania

[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communications education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communications schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communications Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
For return on investment in communications, no school beat Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,419. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Communications graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $35,872. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
La Salle University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,924 in student loans. Communications graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $36,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,000. Communications graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,957. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for communications. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,307 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $46,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Allegheny College came in at #7 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,550 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $31,994 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Saint Vincent College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $25,889. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Jefferson College came in at #9 for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,392. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Washington And Jefferson College generally make around $39,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Chestnut Hill College placed #10 among the best values for communications. Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,870. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $28,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $15,637 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,022 early in their careers. Set against $15,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Communications graduates carry a median of $31,900 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $53,960. Set against $31,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Scranton earned the #13 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,777. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,476 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $56,861. That is a strong return on a $26,476 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
More Communications Rankings
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.