[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 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.
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for other communication & media studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $34,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for other communication & media studies. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morehead State University earned it the #5 place for other communication & media studies. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $24,857 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $26,803. That is a strong return on a $24,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. 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. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama placed #7 among the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #8 for value in other communication & media studies this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Mississippi State University placed #9 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, 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. Set against $24,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University landed the #11 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $31,896 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $45,909. Set against $31,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #12 for value in other communication & media studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $22,875. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $43,305. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Saint Leo University landed the #13 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $32,116 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $49,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Clemson University came in at #14 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, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $53,834. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $47,368. Set against $21,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama came in at #16 for value in other communication & media studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. 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 $50,351 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #17 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,613 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,309. That is a strong return on a $20,613 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Auburn University came in at #18 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. 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.
Charleston Southern University earned the #19 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Charleston Southern University earn a median of $33,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Gardner Webb University came in at #20 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $25,033. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
Wake Forest University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $22,250. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $42,055 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Belmont University earned the #22 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $22,125. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $41,889. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Full Sail University landed the #23 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $31,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Full Sail University generally make around $29,504. Set against $31,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rollins College earned the #24 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,580. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Rollins College earn a median of $36,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
