If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Far Western Region. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Fresno City College placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. 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. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #16 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Gavilan College earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Norco College landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,191. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 225 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 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.
[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.
