[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Weber State University earned the #1 spot for value among other communication & media studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,566 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $67,928. That is a strong return on a $16,566 median debt.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Old Dominion University earned it the #5 place for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama ranked #6 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. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $31,894. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $53,270. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $37,286. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #9 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $26,543 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $32,465. That is a strong return on a $26,543 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #10 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $24,219. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $31,812. That is a strong return on a $24,219 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #11 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. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #12 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $48,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University earned the #13 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #14 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $93,452. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $59,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,063 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,666. That is a strong return on a $24,063 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Asbury University placed #17 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,640. Students borrow a median of $28,104 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $50,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #18 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,613 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $44,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #19 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Wake Forest University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $42,055. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University earned the #21 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $56,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Pace University New York landed the #22 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $35,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #23 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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 $55,390. That is a strong return on a $22,916 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California earned the #24 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $68,587. That is a strong return on a $17,702 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
University Of Denver ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $24,500. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $63,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other communication & media studies value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Communication & Media Studies rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
