[Other Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/other-communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other communication & media studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in other communication & media studies, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. 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. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $50,556. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $30,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $34,720. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $10,492. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $69,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $14,568 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #6 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,566 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $43,209. Set against $16,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia earned the #7 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. 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. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $20,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, 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. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #10 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #11 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,860 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of West Alabama ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of West Alabama is a large public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,192. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Morehead State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $24,857. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $26,803 early in their careers. Set against $24,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $37,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Montclair State University earned the #17 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,713 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $28,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $15,630. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $32,538. That is a strong return on a $15,630 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #19 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,543. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,543 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $32,815. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State College came in at #21 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,325 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Hawaii ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,219 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $31,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #24 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $23,875. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $39,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #25 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $31,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in other communication & media studies:
Explore the best-value other communication & media studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Other Communication & Media Studies 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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.
