[Other Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/other-communication-media-studies/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 91 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other communication & media studies students.
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The right other communication & media studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $17,125. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $30,179. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $69,670. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $55,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,568 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,046. Set against $14,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris landed the #8 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $9,000. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $15,905. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
University Of North Georgia earned the #9 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #10 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,624 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arizona State University landed the #11 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $55,876. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #13 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $17,860 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $29,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,192. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #15 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University placed #16 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of West Alabama placed #17 among the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of West Alabama is a large public school located in the rural area of Livingston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $31,894. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #18 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $11,653. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $25,347. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $37,286. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Morehead State University earned the #21 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $26,803. Set against $24,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #22 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,713 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $42,803. Set against $24,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #23 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $32,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #24 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,543. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $32,465. That is a strong return on a $26,543 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #25 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $32,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for other communication & media studies this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
