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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k)

68 Ranked Colleges
497 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 68 colleges that offer 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 $48-$75k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern University

#2

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Stanford

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 University of Pennsylvania are $41,760.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Pennsylvania

#4

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cornell University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 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 Cornell University are $30,042.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cornell University

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. New York, New York 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.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Columbia has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia Communication & Media Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 4 students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Communication & Media Studies Report

#7

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Vanderbilt

#8

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#23 in overall quality

University of Florida ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 13 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UF also took the #23 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 Florida are $30,130.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Florida

#9

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#13 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue Communication & Media Studies Report

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Communication & Media Studies Report

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - Madison Communication & Media Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle also took the #22 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 UW Seattle are $30,294.

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

#13

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed 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 UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Communication & Media Studies Report

#14

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Communication & Media Studies Report

#15

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. University of South Florida - Main Campus 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.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

University of California - Davis came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Full UC Davis Communication & Media Studies Report

#21

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#14 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UMCP also took the #14 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 UMCP are $30,885.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UMCP

#22

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #22, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Georgia Communication & Media Studies Report

University of California - San Diego landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCSD

#24

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts
#21 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Amherst, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #21 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 Massachusetts Amherst are $32,341.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

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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.

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