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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

48 Ranked Colleges
13,181 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

With 66,787 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. 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 California, there were 13,181 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,861 and $20,384 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 48 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california communications students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in California (With Aid)

1

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 207 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for california communications students with aid.

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

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

2

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 777 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for California Communications students with aid.

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 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cal State Fullerton

3

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #3 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.

CSULB also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for California Communications students with aid per year to attend CSULB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Long Beach

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 300 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communications students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for california communications students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UC Davis

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 271 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for California Communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCSD

6

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 469 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communications students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for california communications students with aid.

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 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCSB

7

California State University - Fresno came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for california communications students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Fresno State

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 492 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communications students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,178 for California Communications students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

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%.

Full Sac State Communication & Media Studies Report

9

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 367 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,523 for california communications students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

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

10

University of California - Berkeley ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 268 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for California Communications students with aid per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Berkeley

11
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 55 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california communications students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,894 for California Communications students with aid per year to attend Stanford University.

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

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University

12
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 California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 332 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for california communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 166 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $8,107 for california communications students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Communication & Media Studies Report

14
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 242 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for California Communications students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 San Diego State University

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 231 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for california 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%.

Full California State University - San Marcos Communication & Media Studies Report

16
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 343 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at SFSU

17

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 75 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for California Communications students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Stan State Communication & Media Studies Report

18

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 109 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $7,454 for california communications students with aid.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Communication & Media Studies Report

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 25 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,026 for California Communications students with aid per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.

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

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Dominguez Hills

20

California State University - East Bay ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 152 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for california communications students with aid.

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%.

Full California State University - East Bay Communication & Media Studies Report

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.

CSUCI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Channel Islands is $14,928 for California 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Channel Islands

22
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $5,573 for California Communications students with aid.

Full San Diego Mesa College Communication & Media Studies Report

23

California State University - Chico ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California Communications students with aid.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Chico

24

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 199 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,304 for California Communications students with aid per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

25
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 87 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,563 for california communications students with aid per year to attend Sonoma State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SSU Communication & Media Studies Report

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