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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

20 Ranked Colleges
2,972 Degrees Awarded
$17,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 North Carolina, there were 2,972 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,153 and $25,784 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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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 North Carolina 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in North Carolina (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 668 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for north carolina 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Communication & Media Studies Report

2
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students with aid list, Appalachian State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $13,989 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Appalachian State University

3
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East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. ECU is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 345 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $16,550 for North Carolina Communications students with aid per year to attend ECU.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at ECU

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 195 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Greensboro, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Greensboro is $11,629 for north carolina communications students with aid.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid. UNC Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 310 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte also took the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $17,634 for North Carolina Communications students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNC Charlotte

6
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 235 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $16,411 for north carolina communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

7
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. North Carolina A & T State University is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 169 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

NC A&T also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NC A&T is $10,563 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

Full North Carolina A & T State University Communication & Media Studies Report

8
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $32,845 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wake Forest University

9

With a ranking of #9, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Wilmington, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 210 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,136 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

10
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fayetteville State University is a medium-sized school located in Fayetteville, North Carolina that handed out 17 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Fayetteville State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Fayetteville State University is $6,969 for north carolina communications students with aid.

Full Fayetteville State University Communication & Media Studies Report

11

University of North Carolina at Pembroke ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Pembroke, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 51 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Pembroke, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $10,792 for north carolina communications students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Pembroke

12
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students with aid list, North Carolina Central University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $14,332 for North Carolina Communications students with aid per year to attend North Carolina Central University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at North Carolina Central University

13
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Cullowhee, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

WCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $13,924 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Western Carolina University

14

University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 55 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,551 for north carolina communications students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Asheville.

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

15
Catawba crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Catawba College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Catawba is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Salisbury, North Carolina. It awarded 15 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Catawba also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Catawba College is $18,702 for north carolina communications students with aid.

Full Catawba Communication & Media Studies Report

16
WSSU crest
Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. WSSU is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

WSSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend WSSU is $12,415 for north carolina communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Winston - Salem State University

17
Queens crest
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Queens is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 77 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students with aid list, Queens has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $27,026 for North Carolina Communications students with aid per year to attend Queens University of Charlotte.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Queens Communication & Media Studies Report

18
Elon crest
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina

Elon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Elon, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elon, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elon is $38,122 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Elon

19
JCSU crest
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #19, Johnson C Smith University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. JCSU is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

JCSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend JCSU is $20,792 for North Carolina Communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at JCSU

20
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaw University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 11 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Shaw University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Shaw University is $23,809 for north carolina communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Shaw University

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