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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

74 Ranked Colleges
15,404 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 Far Western US region, there were 15,404 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,160 and $21,474 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 74 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region communications students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 411 students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $12,017 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 207 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,302 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 California State University - Los Angeles

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 777 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $8,003 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Communication & Media Studies Report

4

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #4 spot on the list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 387 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for far western us region communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Full CSULB Communication & Media Studies Report

5

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 300 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at UC Davis

6

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 271 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $15,240 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCSD Communication & Media Studies Report

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 469 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UCSB also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $16,252 for far western us region communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCSB Communication & Media Studies Report

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 102 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for far western us region communications students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State Communication & Media Studies Report

9

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 492 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for far western us region communications students with aid.

The undergrad 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Sacramento

10

California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 367 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for far western us region communications students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUN

11

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 268 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $16,032 for far western us region communications students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, 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 96%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UC Berkeley

12
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University

13
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 332 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for far western us region communications students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 86%.

Full San Jose State Communication & Media Studies Report

14

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNLV is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 259 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNLV, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,993 for far western us region communications students with aid per year to attend UNLV.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNLV

15

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 166 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,107 for far western us region communications students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - San Bernardino

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 242 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at SDSU

17

California State University - San Marcos ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 231 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $13,218 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUSM

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 343 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students with aid list, SFSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for far western us region communications students with aid.

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%.

Full San Francisco State University Communication & Media Studies Report

19

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 75 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for far western us region communications students with aid per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Stanislaus

19
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

With a ranking of #19, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $18,047 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid per year to attend UO.

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%.

Full UO Communication & Media Studies Report

21

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for far western us region communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUB

22

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. CSUDH is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 25 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $4,026 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

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 CSUDH

23

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 152 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,298 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

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 California State University - East Bay Communication & Media Studies Report

24

With a ranking of #24, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 146 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Channel Islands is $14,928 for far western us region communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Channel Islands Communication & Media Studies Report

25
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #25, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school awarded 68 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $5,573 for Far Western US Region Communications students with aid.

Full San Diego Mesa College Communication & Media Studies Report

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