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2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

59 Ranked Colleges
6,313 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 68,079 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, communication and media studies is the 9th most popular major in the United States. 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 59 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.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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 Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#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 Getting Aid list. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 100 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $3,429 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.

Full CNM Communication & Media Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 145 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Rio Grande Valley, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,514 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

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 59 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin landed the #3 spot on the list. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a medium-sized public school situated in Odessa, Texas. It awarded 46 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,092 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend UT Permian Basin.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 272 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $18,023 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Austin

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 36 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M International University is $3,074 for southwest region communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M International University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Durant, Oklahoma. It awarded 12 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Oklahoma State University is $8,237 for southwest region communications students with aid.

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

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 473 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $11,706 for Southwest Region 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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Arizona State University - Tempe

With a ranking of #8, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 304 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UTSA is $13,853 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio

University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school handed out 304 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $12,944 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Phoenix - Arizona

#10

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,016 for southwest region communications students with aid.

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

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Arizona

#11

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. MSU Texas is a public institution located in Wichita Falls, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU Texas is $10,045 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at MSU Texas

#12

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Ada, Oklahoma, this small public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend East Central University is $10,334 for southwest region communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at ECU

#13

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 381 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $19,057 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Texas A&M College Station.

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%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Communication & Media Studies Report

#13

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 588 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Skysong is $13,971 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at ASU - Skysong

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 Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 266 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region communications students with aid list, UT Arlington has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Arlington is $14,246 for southwest region communications students with aid.

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

#15

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Angelo State is a fairly large school located in San Angelo, Texas that handed out 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. It costs about $13,819 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Angelo State.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Angelo State University

#16

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas State University 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $15,230 for southwest region communications students with aid per year to attend Texas State.

Full Texas State Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. UH is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for UH is $12,838 for southwest region communications students with aid.

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

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UH

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at El Paso 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 UTEP is $8,920 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at El Paso

University of Houston - Downtown landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Houston - Downtown is a fairly large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 82 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Houston - Downtown is $6,848 for southwest region communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Houston - Downtown

#20

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. SHSU is a large school located in Huntsville, Texas that handed out 186 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend SHSU is $14,617 for southwest region communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at SHSU

#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 Getting Aid list. Texas Tech is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 147 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $17,571 for southwest region communications students with aid.

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

Full Texas Tech University Communication & Media Studies Report

Texas A&M University - San Antonio ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M University - San Antonio is a medium-sized school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 51 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - San Antonio is $11,511 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M San Antonio

#23

Tulsa Community College

Tulsa, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #23, Tulsa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 14 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Tulsa Community College is $6,078 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Tulsa Community College

With a ranking of #24, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 83 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $13,723 for southwest region communications students with aid.

Full SFASU Communication & Media Studies Report

#25

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Beaumont, Texas, and it awarded 64 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,311 for Southwest Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Lamar University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lamar University

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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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