[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 795 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
Finding the Best Value Communication & Media Studies School for You
The right communication & media studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $7,892 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,996. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of San Mateo landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,251. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,692. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,054. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Santa Ana College came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #15 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Skyline College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Austin Community College District placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,519. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $32,408. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,875. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $35,357. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
De Anza College earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #24 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 795 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 795 ranked schools only.
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).
[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
