[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 243 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.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,892. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,892 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,623. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $32,484. That is a strong return on a $14,623 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Nassau Community College earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,643 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $26,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $29,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Monroe Community College landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,123. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,374. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,511. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $23,307. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
County College Of Morris earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $15,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Montgomery College came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,230. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Erie Community College came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Delaware County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,350. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $21,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,713 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $42,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Onondaga Community College landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,833 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $29,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,833 median debt.
Dutchess Community College landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,998. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $17,585. That is a strong return on a $10,998 median debt.
Bucks County Community College came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Delaware landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,897. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 243 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.
