2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Arkansas
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
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2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in Arkansas. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $28,951. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Southeast Arkansas College one of the best values for communications. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,200, compared with $8,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $12,008. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Southeast Arkansas College generally make around $30,715. That is a strong return on a $12,008 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,250. Communications graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,192 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #4 makes Ouachita Baptist University one of the best values for communications. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,500. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $34,574. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
