Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Communication & Media Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Washington

14 Ranked Colleges
1,287 Degrees Awarded
$14,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 68,079 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, communication and media studies is the 9th most popular major in the United States. 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 Washington, there were 1,287 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,058 and $20,100 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Washington

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 474 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $7,850 for washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

#2

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Washington State University is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 72 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Wazzu did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $9,334 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wazzu

#3

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Washington University landed the #3 spot on the list. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 89 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WWU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. It costs about $9,743 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Washington University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Western Washington University

#4

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Washington University landed the #4 spot on the list. Eastern Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Cheney, Washington. It awarded 140 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

EWU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Washington University is $8,473 for washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Eastern Washington University

#5

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Washington University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k. Ellensburg, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CWU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Washington University is $9,875 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CWU

#6

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington

Pacific Lutheran University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pacific Lutheran University is a small school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 25 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

PLU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The yearly cost to attend PLU is $17,344 for washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Pacific Lutheran University

#7

Whitworth University

Spokane, Washington

Whitworth University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 14 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Whitworth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” list. It costs about $17,565 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Whitworth.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Whitworth University

#8

Northwest University

Kirkland, Washington

With a ranking of #8, Northwest University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Kirkland, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 32 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest University is $15,871 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Northwest University

#9

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington

Gonzaga University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Gonzaga also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gonzaga University is $23,389 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Gonzaga University Communication & Media Studies Report

University of Washington - Tacoma Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW Tacoma is located in Tacoma, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 104 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UW Tacoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW Tacoma is $6,545 for washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW Tacoma Communication & Media Studies Report

University of Washington - Bothell Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Bothell is a medium-sized school located in Bothell, Washington that handed out 149 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Bothell has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Bothell is $6,922 for washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Washington - Bothell Campus

#12

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Pacific University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle Pacific University is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

SPU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. It costs about $19,900 for washington communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Seattle Pacific University.

The low student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Seattle Pacific University

#13

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington

University of Puget Sound ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 30 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Puget Sound did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Puget Sound is $26,828 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Puget Sound Communication & Media Studies Report

#14

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington

Seattle University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Seattle U is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Seattle U, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Seattle U is $23,730 for Washington Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Seattle U

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Communications / Public Relations Schools

Find Schools Near You