[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 1403 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $46,382. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,996. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $32,408. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $39,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. 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.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,748. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,634. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,054 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,543. Set against $20,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,900. 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.
San Jose State University landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $40,790. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #19 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, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,624. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $32,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $70,112. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
West Virginia University earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,772. Communication & Media Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $37,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,777 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Wyoming placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,900. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $28,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Georgia earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
Explore the best-value communication & media studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 1403 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
