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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in North Carolina

20 Ranked Colleges
2,972 Degrees Awarded
$13,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 66,787 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. 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 $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in North Carolina

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 668 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $5,729 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k 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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $5,612 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University Communication & Media Studies Report

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 235 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $9,448 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national 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 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 $30-$48k list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $9,940 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State.

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 3.6% 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 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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, ECU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $13,029 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ECU.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ECU

6

University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UNC Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UNC Charlotte is $13,226 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

7

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 195 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Greensboro, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $9,190 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNC Greensboro

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

North Carolina A & T State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 169 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

NC A&T also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina A & T State University is $9,170 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at North Carolina A & T State University

9

With a ranking of #9, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a fairly large school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 210 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCW also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend UNCW is $14,643 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

10
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fayetteville State University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville State University is $6,605 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Fayetteville State University Communication & Media Studies Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNCA is a small public school situated in Asheville, North Carolina. It awarded 55 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNCA has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Asheville is $10,130 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Asheville

12

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a public institution located in Pembroke, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Pembroke, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $9,817 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

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

13
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

WCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $11,625 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Carolina University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at WCU

14
Elon crest
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina

Elon University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elon, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Elon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $20,762 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elon.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, 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 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 came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, North Carolina Central University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $13,718 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Carolina Central University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at North Carolina Central University

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 $30-$48k ranking. Catawba College 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.

Catawba also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Catawba is $17,408 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Catawba College

17
WSSU crest
Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. WSSU 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. The yearly cost to attend WSSU is $11,479 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

18
Queens crest
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Queens is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Queens did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Queens is $22,706 for North Carolina 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Queens Communication & Media Studies Report

19
JCSU crest
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, North Carolina

Johnson C Smith University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Johnson C Smith University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

JCSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $20,919 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend JCSU.

Full JCSU Communication & Media Studies Report

20
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaw University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Shaw University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $24,312 for north carolina communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Shaw University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Shaw University

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