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2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

26 Ranked Colleges
2,867 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor's in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 North Carolina, there were 3,015 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,490 and $25,001 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,867 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,192 and $24,368 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 26 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.

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

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 Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in North Carolina (With Aid)

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #1 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 598 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,352 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

#2

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, North Carolina State University landed the #2 spot on the list. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 199 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid list, NC State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $16,458 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Full North Carolina State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#3

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 77 students in 2019-2020.

Appalachian State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $13,920 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Appalachian State University

#4

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 206 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Greensboro is $12,748 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

Full UNC Greensboro Communication & Media Studies Report

#5

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Elizabeth City State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. ECSU is a small school located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina that handed out 4 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elizabeth City State University is $2,350 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at ECSU

#6

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. NC A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 164 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC A&T, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $10,274 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid per year to attend NC A&T.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at NC A&T

#7

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 302 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $15,844 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

Full East Carolina University Communication & Media Studies Report

#8

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 344 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Charlotte, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Charlotte is $16,529 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

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

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

#9

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fayetteville State University is a public institution located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid list, Fayetteville State University has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville State University is $5,899 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Fayetteville State University

#10

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Pembroke ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized school located in Pembroke, North Carolina that handed out 45 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Pembroke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $10,228 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Pembroke

#11

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. UNCW is a public institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 242 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNCW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $19,055 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNCW

#12

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

With a ranking of #12, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 55 degrees to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

WCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $13,722 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Western Carolina University

#13

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Asheville ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Carolina at Asheville is a public institution located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $12,061 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNCA

#14

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 113 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Wake Forest University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $29,990 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

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 student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Wake Forest University

#15

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Winston - Salem State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 34 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSSU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,286 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid per year to attend WSSU.

Full Winston - Salem State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#16

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 56 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

North Carolina Central University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina Central University is $14,732 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

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

#17

Salem College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Salem College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Salem is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid list, Salem has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Salem College is $18,010 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Salem

#18

Catawba College

Salisbury, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, Catawba College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Catawba, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Catawba College is $18,185 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Catawba College

#19

Meredith College

Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #19, Meredith College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Meredith is a private not-for-profit institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Meredith also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Meredith is $23,683 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Meredith Communication & Media Studies Report

#20

Barton College

Wilson, North Carolina

Barton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Wilson, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Barton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $24,141 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid per year to attend Barton College.

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

Full Barton College Communication & Media Studies Report

#21

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Queens University of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Queens also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Queens is $25,078 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Queens University of Charlotte

#22

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner - Webb University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Boiling Springs, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid list, Gardner - Webb has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gardner - Webb University is $21,296 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Gardner - Webb University

#23

Shaw University

Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaw University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $19,244 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid per year to attend Shaw University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Shaw University

#24

Lees - McRae College

Banner Elk, North Carolina

Lees - McRae College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Banner Elk, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Lees - McRae College also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $21,024 for north carolina bachelor’s degree communications students with aid per year to attend Lees - McRae College.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lees - McRae College

#25

William Peace University

Raleigh, North Carolina

William Peace University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

WPU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend WPU is $24,134 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Communications students with aid.

Full William Peace 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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