[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 153 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 Weber State University this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,566 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $67,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #3 place for other communication & media studies. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at Old Dominion University, which ranked #4. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $21,250. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $40,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of West Alabama ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Morehead State University landed the #7 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $39,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University came in at #9 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $24,219. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $31,812 early in their careers. Set against $24,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $93,452. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Alabama A And M University came in at #11 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $31,896 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $31,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #12 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $39,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #13 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. 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%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $48,183. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #15 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $23,783. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,666. Set against $24,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The University Of Alabama landed the #17 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $59,911. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $47,368. That is a strong return on a $21,230 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #19 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $20,613. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $44,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,613 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #20 among the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $51,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University came in at #21 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $20,675. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $35,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,675 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #22 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,916 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Drake University landed the #23 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York placed #24 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $35,992. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Southern California earned the #25 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $68,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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
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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
