[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.
College Factual analyzed 106 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.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,669. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $58,996. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $46,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $39,920 early in their careers. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $56,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,854. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,021. That is a strong return on a $21,854 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,566. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $67,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $47,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,054 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $20,624 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,365. That is a strong return on a $20,624 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $70,112. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $43,521. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $33,150. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $37,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,675. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,487. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $41,402. Set against $22,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wayne State University placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $30,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $56,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of West Alabama came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of West Alabama is a large public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $53,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,587 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Communication & Media Studies rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 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.
