[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 647 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $7,892 in student loans. 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.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,827. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,262. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,408. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,918. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,794. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Lehman College placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $32,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Fresno placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $33,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $39,304. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $29,702. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $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. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #17 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $31,085. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $35,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida International University earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,424. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. 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, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,956. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $33,674. That is a strong return on a $20,054 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. Set against $16,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 647 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 647 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
