[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1403 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $15,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for communication & media studies. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,120 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,750. 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,918. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $30,179. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,050. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,794. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,953. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,172. That is a strong return on a $13,953 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,750. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,408. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $39,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $29,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. That is a strong return on a $16,433 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $36,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,100. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,207. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Set against $13,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $69,670. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,085. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1403 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 540 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
