[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 134 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is West Valley College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the United States. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,075. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $5,707. 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.
College Of San Mateo earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,246. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Austin Community College District came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #15 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. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #16 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Orange Coast College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,978. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Golden West College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
Explore the best-value communication & media studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
