Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Communication & Media Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k)

68 Ranked Colleges
497 Degrees Awarded
$34,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 9th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 68,079 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 497 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 68 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UPenn

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Communication & Media Studies Report

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #3 spot on the list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University

#4

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cornell University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Cornell University

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #5 spot on the list. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Communication & Media Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at U-M

#7

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#23 in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UF Communication & Media Studies Report

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Madison

#9

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

#10

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Vanderbilt University

With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UIUC

#12

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#13 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 8 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW Seattle

#14

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Full IU Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Ohio State

#16

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UMN Twin Cities Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #17, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Florida State

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USF Tampa

#19

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#14 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMCP is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UMCP Communication & Media Studies Report

#20

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washington State University

#21

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Communication & Media Studies Report

#22

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

Full University of Georgia Communication & Media Studies Report

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. ASU - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 10 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 2 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Davis

#25

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Communication & Media Studies Report

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