[Other Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/other-communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value other communication & media studies schools.
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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.
Leading the list is Northeastern Illinois University, our #1 best value for other communication & media studies in Illinois. 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. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,630 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,543 in student loans. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Concordia University Chicago earned it the #3 place for other communication & media studies. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
North Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at Northwestern University, which ranked #5. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,112 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $69,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $22,916 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #7 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $31,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Other Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 2 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.
