[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Oakland University the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in Michigan. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $37,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $30,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $35,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,376 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,200 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,735. Set against $27,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Saginaw Valley State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $28,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $36,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,558. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Albion College placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,950 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 $39,209. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,091. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $40,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,102 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Central Michigan University placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,913. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,125. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $30,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rochester College came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,196. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Rochester College generally make around $36,051. Set against $26,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $30,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hope College earned the #17 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $38,956. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
