[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 96 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny City College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,827. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,892 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,367. Set against $7,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,623. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $32,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,623 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,643 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,437. That is a strong return on a $8,643 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. 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 College Of Staten Island placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,702. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,750. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $27,123 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,511 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $23,307. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Erie Community College came in at #14 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, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. 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.
Onondaga Community College earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,833. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,915. Set against $11,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Students borrow a median of $10,998 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $17,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $29,256. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Broome Community College earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,830 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,163. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $41,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny College At Brockport placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,200 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,150 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,749. That is a strong return on a $25,150 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $26,344 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Stony Brook University placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
