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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

17 Ranked Colleges
142 Degrees Awarded
$28,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 68,079 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 9th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 14,617 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,483 and $26,130 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 142 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 17 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 13 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Florida Communication & Media Studies Report

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 1 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Vanderbilt

#4

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Florida State University

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 8 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#6

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 10 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UGA Communication & Media Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#6 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 9 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

#9

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#10 in overall quality

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WVU are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full West Virginia University Communication & Media Studies Report

#10

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#7 in overall quality

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UK also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kentucky are $33,216, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UK

#11

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#12 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UofSC

#12

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#12 in overall quality

University of Memphis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Memphis is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofM has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofM are $14,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UofM

#13

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi
#14 in overall quality

University of Southern Mississippi came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Miss is a fairly large school located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that handed out 7 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern Miss, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Mississippi are $10,896.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Communication & Media Studies Report

#14

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#5 in overall quality

The University of Alabama ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UA also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Alabama

#15

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Georgia State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State are $24,790.

Full Georgia State Communication & Media Studies Report

#16

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

With a ranking of #16, Regent University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Regent is a fairly large school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 22 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Regent did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Regent University are $17,052, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Regent

#17

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#4 in overall quality

University of Miami did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U Miami, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Miami are $40,220, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Miami

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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