2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
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2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communications Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in communications in Texas. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Victoria is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $20,625. Early-career communications graduates make about $47,345. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,100. Early-career communications graduates make about $22,430. That is a strong return on a $17,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned it the #4 place for communications. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Communications graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $46,203 early in their careers. Set against $22,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $19,829. Communications graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $28,566 early in their careers. Set against $19,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #6 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. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $22,923 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $37,858. Set against $22,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #7 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Communications graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Communications graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $23,766 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Lamar University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #9 position for value in communications this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,777. Communications graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $37,958 early in their careers. Set against $24,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communications graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $31,953 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Angelo State University placed #11 among the best values for communications. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Communications graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $32,220. Set against $21,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #12 spot for communications value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,021. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #13 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $28,375. Early-career communications graduates make about $34,123. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #14 position for value in communications this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,990. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #15 for value in communications this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $22,269. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #16 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $20,794 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 Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $27,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Blinn College landed the #17 spot for communications value 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. Communications graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $40,730. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tarleton State University landed the #19 spot for communications value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,368 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $35,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Southern University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $38,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $33,963. Set against $38,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #21 spot for communications value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,782. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $43,295. Set against $17,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,333. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Austin College placed #23 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,121. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,264. Early-career communications graduates make about $32,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Saint Edwards University earned the #24 position for value in communications this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,000. Communications graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $31,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
East Texas Baptist University landed the #25 spot for communications value this year. East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,680. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Communications graduates of East Texas Baptist University earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communications this year:
More Communications Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
