[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Portland State University this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,582 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,143. Set against $24,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern Oregon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of La Grande. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,184, with out-of-state students paying around $24,729. Students borrow a median of $29,801 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern Oregon University generally make around $37,143. Set against $29,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Oregon University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,316. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $37,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,316 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Oregon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $30,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Oregon State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,740. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $40,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Oregon landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $33,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Willamette University earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,156 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $31,472 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lewis And Clark College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark College generally make around $17,707. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
