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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

20 Ranked Colleges
2,972 Degrees Awarded
$12,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across North Carolina, there were 2,972 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,153 and $25,784 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The communications school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

1

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 668 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $3,753 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Communication & Media Studies Report

2
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 156 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,401 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wake Forest University

3
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 235 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

NC State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $7,283 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at NC State

4
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Appalachian State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State University is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $7,354 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Carolina University is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,260 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full East Carolina University Communication & Media Studies Report

6

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 195 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UNC Greensboro is $7,645 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

7

With a ranking of #7, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 310 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $12,751 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

8
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 169 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

NC A&T not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina A & T State University is $7,827 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at NC A&T

9

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 210 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNCW has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $11,710 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UNCW

10

With a ranking of #10, University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 55 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

UNCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $8,677 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNCA.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNCA

11
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Fayetteville State University also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fayetteville State University is $5,366 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Fayetteville State University

12
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCU is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $9,305 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCU.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at WCU

13

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pembroke, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Pembroke also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $8,412 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNC Pembroke.

Full University of North Carolina at Pembroke Communication & Media Studies Report

14
Elon crest
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina

Elon University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Elon, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Elon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Elon is $27,491 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Elon

15
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina Central University is a medium-sized public school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 59 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

North Carolina Central University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina Central University is $12,249 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full North Carolina Central University Communication & Media Studies Report

16
Catawba crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Catawba College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Catawba is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Catawba has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $15,146 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Catawba.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Catawba

17
Queens crest
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 77 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Queens, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $21,326 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Queens University of Charlotte.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Queens Communication & Media Studies Report

18
WSSU crest
Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winston - Salem State University is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WSSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $10,304 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WSSU.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Winston - Salem State University

19
JCSU crest
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, North Carolina

Johnson C Smith University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JCSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend JCSU is $20,176 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Johnson C Smith University

20
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaw University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Shaw University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Shaw University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Shaw University is $22,471 for north carolina communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Shaw University

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