2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Arizona
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.
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2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communications Schools
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in Arizona. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,752. Communications graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,750. Communications graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Phoenix Arizona earned it the #5 place for communications. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Communications graduates carry a median of $45,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $47,919. Set against $45,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #6 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $56,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Canyon University earned the #8 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More Communications Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
