by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communications schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for communications in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for communications. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for communications. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,840. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for communications. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at La Salle University, which ranked #5. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,924. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,127. Set against $26,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Allegheny College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $31,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.
Saint Vincent College placed #7 among the best values for communications. 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. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $25,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Jefferson College landed the #8 spot for communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $39,584. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $53,960. That is a strong return on a $31,900 median debt. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Scranton came in at #10 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 $26,500 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $56,861. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,637. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $53,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.