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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Far Western US Region

28 Ranked Colleges
671 Degrees Awarded
$21,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 68,079 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 9th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 15,759 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,204 and $21,798 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 671 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Far Western US Region

#1

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California Baptist University landed the #1 spot on the list. Cal Baptist is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree communications students list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Baptist University Communication & Media Studies Report

#2

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Washington State University is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wazzu, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Washington State University

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 38 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Fullerton

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 25 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Diego State University

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Fresno

#11 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. UNR is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 7 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Reno are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Nevada - Reno Communication & Media Studies Report

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNLV, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #9. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Long Beach

#10

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 17 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State

#11

University of Portland

Portland, Oregon
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Portland did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. University of Portland is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Portland also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Portland are $23,868, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Portland Communication & Media Studies Report

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree communications students list, Chico State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chico State Communication & Media Studies Report

#13

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Francisco State University

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 16 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State LA Communication & Media Studies Report

#4 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #15. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

#16

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUSB

#17

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#6 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 24 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of San Francisco

#18

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree communications students list, UCSB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Communication & Media Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Sacramento

#20

National University

La Jolla, California

National University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at National University

#24 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - East Bay

#22

Hawaii Pacific University

Honolulu, Hawaii

Hawaii Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree communications students list, Hawaii Pacific University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hawaii Pacific University are $20,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Hawaii Pacific University

#23

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon

With a ranking of #23, Portland State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Portland State University is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Portland State University

#24

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

With a ranking of #24, Eastern Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. EWU is located in Cheney, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

EWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at EWU are $28,921, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at EWU

#25

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

University of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. UAF is located in Fairbanks, Alaska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alaska Fairbanks are $24,287, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UAF

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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