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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

73 Ranked Colleges
15,404 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 the Far Western US region, there were 15,404 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,160 and $21,474 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 73 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $1,581 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University

2

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 411 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $6,399 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 268 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Berkeley

4

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 207 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $2,701 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Cal State LA

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 300 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,598 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Davis.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Davis Communication & Media Studies Report

6

University of California - San Diego landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 271 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,176 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 UCSD

7

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 777 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Cal State Fullerton Communication & Media Studies Report

8

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 469 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $11,606 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSB Communication & Media Studies Report

9

California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 387 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSULB has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Long Beach

10

California State University - Fresno ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $4,655 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - Fresno Communication & Media Studies Report

11
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 567 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $17,345 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USC

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 492 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Sac State

13

California State University - Northridge ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 367 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,103 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Northridge

14
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #14, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 242 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at SDSU

15

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 166 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Communication & Media Studies Report

16

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 75 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 California State University - Stanislaus

17

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 259 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNLV has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $9,602 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNLV

18
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 332 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, San Jose State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,378 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 San Jose State University

19
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wazzu is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 46 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $8,719 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washington State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Washington State University Communication & Media Studies Report

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 231 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

CSUSM also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $10,348 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - San Marcos Communication & Media Studies Report

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,046 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUB.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Communication & Media Studies Report

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 343 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $11,862 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU Communication & Media Studies Report

23
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,543 for far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Diego Mesa College

24

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $3,329 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUDH

25
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Oregon is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 38 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UO has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,709 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UO.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UO

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