[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.
College Factual analyzed 138 schools to build this 2027 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 Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $7,892 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,246. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,054. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,750. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,262. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,875. 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. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $32,484. Set against $14,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,643. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,016. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,511. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $23,307 early in their careers. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $43,696. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Monroe Community College placed #15 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,123. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $15,905. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. That is a strong return on a $19,528 median debt. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Bucks County Community College placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Union County College landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,350 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Union County College earn a median of $21,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,764. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,450. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,957. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,713 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,803. Set against $24,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $41,897 early in their careers. 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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 138 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.
