[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Kokomo the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in Indiana. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,619. 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. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $39,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Southeast one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast 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. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,777. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $59,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,094. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,462 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $28,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,541. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $36,700. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,289. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $34,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $21,550 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $33,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,550 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $33,054. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $35,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Hanover College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $42,698. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Hanover College generally make around $31,621. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hanover College admits about 84% of applicants.
Depauw University came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
Saint Marys College earned the #17 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $53,230 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,322. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Marys College admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
