[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools to find the best return on investment for other communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for other communication & media studies in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $30,179. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $14,568. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $20,376. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,376 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Weber State University landed the #6 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $43,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University placed #7 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University placed #9 among the best values for other communication & media studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $24,713 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $28,062. That is a strong return on a $24,713 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. 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. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. 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.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for other communication & media studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $15,630 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $32,538. That is a strong return on a $15,630 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized 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. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #15 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Morehead State University placed #16 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,857 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $26,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
New Jersey City University placed #17 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $16,914. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $13,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #18 position for value in other communication & media studies 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. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $39,311. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #19 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,956. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $58,760. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #20 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,219 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $31,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #21 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. 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. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vanderbilt University came in at #22 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. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. 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%.
Wayne State College came in at #23 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $25,325. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $46,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. 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. Set against $26,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $34,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for other communication & media studies this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Communication & Media Studies rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
