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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communications schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in communications, no school beat Saint Cloud State University this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,279. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at University Of Minnesota Crookston, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,288. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Rochester Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $27,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan State University one of the best values for communications. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Communications graduates carry a median of $34,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $46,320. Set against $34,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the best values for communications. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 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 Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $39,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hamline University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,201. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Crown College placed #7 among the best values for communications. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Students borrow a median of $29,537 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Crown College earn a median of $42,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #8 spot for communications value this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
Walden University landed the #9 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $43,566. Early-career communications graduates make about $47,157. That is a strong return on a $43,566 median debt.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.