College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

130 Ranked Colleges
14,755 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. 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 Southeast region, there were 14,755 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,329 and $27,106 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 130 colleges that offered a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

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

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 668 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Communication & Media Studies Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 189 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UF also took the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $8,394 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #3 spot on the list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 156 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

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 the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,228 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Wake Forest University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,669 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full USF Tampa Communication & Media Studies Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 573 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $7,292 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Full Florida International University Communication & Media Studies Report

6
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 180 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $15,037 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Georgia

7
Berea crest
Berea College
Berea, Kentucky

Berea College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berea, Kentucky. It awarded 17 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Berea is $6,551 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Berea College

8

University of Central Florida came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 470 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $9,426 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Central Florida Communication & Media Studies Report

9
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #9, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Florida is a fairly large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 221 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $10,194 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNF

10

With a ranking of #10, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UWF is a fairly large school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 98 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of West Florida is $7,301 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full The University of West Florida Communication & Media Studies Report

11
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. UK is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 226 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $16,708 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 UK

12
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

With a ranking of #12, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,505 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NKU.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northern Kentucky University

13
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 210 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida Atlantic University is $12,323 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full FAU Communication & Media Studies Report

14

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 326 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $19,623 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 4.0% 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 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

15
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 101 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $13,077 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WVU Communication & Media Studies Report

16
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UARK is a public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 262 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arkansas is $16,256 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Arkansas

17

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FGCU is a fairly large school located in Fort Myers, Florida that handed out 186 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,133 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend FGCU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Full FGCU Communication & Media Studies Report

18
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ECU is $16,654 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ECU

19
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #19, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 266 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $18,372 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Virginia Tech

20
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 82 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $13,769 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Full Appalachian State University Communication & Media Studies Report

21
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $14,424 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, 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 94%.

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

22

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $16,938 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNC Charlotte.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

23

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 195 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,214 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNC Greensboro.

Full UNC Greensboro Communication & Media Studies Report

24
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. James Madison University is a large school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 446 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, JMU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,216 for southeast region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend James Madison University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at JMU

25

Florida State College at Jacksonville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Florida State College at Jacksonville is a large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 25 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville is $5,735 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Florida State College at Jacksonville

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