[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Wayne State College earned the #1 spot for value among other communication & media studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,325 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $46,646. That is a strong return on a $25,325 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #2 place for other communication & media studies. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $39,173. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Dakota one of the best values for other communication & media studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $34,963. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at Augsburg College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $59,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drake University earned it the #5 place for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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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 · 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.
