2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communications schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for communications. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Communications graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $26,748. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for communications. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,100. Communications graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $22,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,100 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #4 place for communications. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in communications this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $19,026. Communications graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,923. Communications graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $37,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lamar University earned the #8 position for value in communications this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,669. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,556. Set against $25,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Blinn College earned the #9 position for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #10 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $23,766. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #11 position for value in communications this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $34,123. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Communications graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #13 position for value in communications this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $31,953. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Mesa Community College placed #14 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College placed #15 among the best values for communications. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,204. Communications graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #16 spot for communications value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $46,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #17 position for value in communications this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #19 position for value in communications this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $20,519. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $20,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, with out-of-state students paying around $24,680. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $44,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #21 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $15,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $27,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,990. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #23 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Communications graduates carry a median of $45,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $47,919. That is a strong return on a $45,000 median debt.
University Of Houston ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Communications graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $37,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University landed the #25 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,500. Communications graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $56,309 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Communications Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communications value ranking:
Narrow Communications Schools by State
More Communications Rankings
View All Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
