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2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Southwest Region

58 Ranked Colleges
6,313 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

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.

Across the Southwest region, there were 6,313 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,423 and $24,273 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 58 colleges that offer 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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 Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 100 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

CNM also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend CNM is $7,646 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CNM

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 145 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $11,400 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #3 spot on the list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 272 students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $20,454 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Texas A&M International University is located in Laredo, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M International University is $8,807 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Texas A&M International University Communication & Media Studies Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a medium-sized school located in Odessa, Texas that handed out 46 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,923 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UT Permian Basin.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

#6

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 284 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $20,200 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Arizona

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Durant, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University is $12,771 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 473 students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $17,373 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full ASU - Tempe Communication & Media Studies Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. The University of Texas at San Antonio is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 304 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $18,275 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UTSA.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 304 students in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Phoenix - Arizona is $17,013 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UOPX - Arizona

#11

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. MSU Texas is located in Wichita Falls, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,146 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend MSU Texas.

Full MSU Texas Communication & Media Studies Report

#12

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Ada, Oklahoma, this small public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,029 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend ECU.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at East Central University

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at El Paso is $15,123 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UTEP Communication & Media Studies Report

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 266 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $16,473 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UT Arlington.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Communication & Media Studies Report

#15

Tulsa Community College

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Tulsa Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It awarded 14 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,064 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Tulsa Community College.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Tulsa Community College

With a ranking of #16, Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. ENMU - Main Campus is a medium-sized school located in Portales, New Mexico that handed out 34 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,703 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend ENMU - Main Campus.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at ENMU - Main Campus

#16

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. Arizona State University - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 588 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $20,321 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend ASU - Skysong.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ASU - Skysong

#17

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 53 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UH is $18,844 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UH Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #18, Trinity University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 40 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity University is $24,520 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The impressive 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 student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.

Full Trinity University Communication & Media Studies Report

#19

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 381 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $26,028 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M College Station

University of Houston - Downtown ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Houston - Downtown is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UH Downtown is $13,592 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UH Downtown

#21

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #21, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 147 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Texas Tech also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $21,305 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Texas Tech Communication & Media Studies Report

#22

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Angelo State is a fairly large public school situated in San Angelo, Texas. It awarded 31 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Angelo State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Angelo State is $18,535 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Angelo State

#23

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 213 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Texas State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $19,683 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Texas State.

Full Texas State Communication & Media Studies Report

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SFASU is a public institution located in Nacogdoches, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Stephen F Austin State University is $18,653 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Stephen F Austin State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#25

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for NSU is $15,029 for southwest region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Northeastern State University Communication & Media Studies Report

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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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