[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 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 University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,912. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,322 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Set against $24,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Governors State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,340. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,071. Set against $20,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $30,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,311 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,169. That is a strong return on a $26,311 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $15,630 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $32,538. That is a strong return on a $15,630 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $36,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,683. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $53,733. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $58,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,543 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $32,465. Set against $26,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $41,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
North Park University landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Aurora University placed #16 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $30,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $23,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Benedictine University earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,334. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Columbia College Chicago placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,557. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $18,112 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $69,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Lake Forest College landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $42,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Depaul University came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,916. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,421. That is a strong return on a $22,916 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Devry University Illinois placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Students borrow a median of $56,858 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $47,622. Set against $56,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,495. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
