College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

26 Ranked Colleges
3,156 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 Rocky Mountains region, there were 3,156 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,142 and $23,352 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies programs, but they also cost less that 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communications Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. BYU - I is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 236 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU - I also took the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $5,422 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Brigham Young University - Idaho

2
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Utah landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 343 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,842 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend U of U.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at U of U

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 95 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, BYU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $12,676 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a large school located in Fort Collins, Colorado that handed out 202 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,086 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State

5

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah Valley University landed the #5 spot on the list. Orem, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 203 students in 2020-2021.

UVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Utah Valley University is $11,196 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full Utah Valley University Communication & Media Studies Report

6

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 193 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

CU - Boulder also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $18,204 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Colorado Boulder.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CU - Boulder

7
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wyoming is $9,394 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

8

Boise State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boise State is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 202 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Boise State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Boise State University is $16,204 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Boise State

9

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. CU Anschutz is a large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 173 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CU Anschutz is $15,406 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

10

Weber State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WSU is a large public school situated in Ogden, Utah. It awarded 139 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $12,318 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at WSU

11
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

Dixie State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint George, Utah is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

Dixie State College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $14,810 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Dixie State University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Dixie State University

12

Utah State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. USU is located in Logan, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Utah State University is $13,553 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Utah State University Communication & Media Studies Report

13
Westminster College Salt Lake crest
Westminster College Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #13, Westminster College Utah did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 39 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Westminster College Salt Lake not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $22,177 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Westminster College Salt Lake.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Westminster College Utah

14

University of Northern Colorado came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school situated in Greeley, Colorado. It awarded 79 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $14,111 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Colorado

15
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. U of I is a fairly large school located in Moscow, Idaho that handed out 14 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

U of I also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $13,998 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend U of I.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Idaho Communication & Media Studies Report

16
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Cedar City, Utah, this fairly large public school handed out 107 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,460 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Utah University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Southern Utah University Communication & Media Studies Report

17

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 164 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCCS, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCCS is $15,342 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCCS

18
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UM is a fairly large public school situated in Missoula, Montana. It awarded 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UM also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $15,281 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UM.

Full The University of Montana Communication & Media Studies Report

19
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 294 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

DU also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DU is $27,767 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full DU Communication & Media Studies Report

20
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Western also took the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western is $16,216 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Western

21

With a ranking of #21, Northwest Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Nampa, Idaho is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

NNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NNU is $21,088 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 NNU

22
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Pocatello, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ISU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $18,464 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ISU.

Full Idaho State University Communication & Media Studies Report

23

Colorado State University - Pueblo came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Pueblo, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $13,811 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo

24
Colorado Mesa crest
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado Mesa University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it awarded 22 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Colorado Mesa is $16,572 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Colorado Mesa University

25
Regis U crest
Regis University
Denver, Colorado

Regis University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Regis U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Regis U, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $23,019 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Regis University.

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%.

Full Regis U Communication & Media Studies Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options