[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 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.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in New York. 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, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,892. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $36,367. That is a strong return on a $7,892 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Set against $15,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,054. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2027 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,918. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $32,484 early in their careers. Set against $14,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,643 in student loans. 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 came in at #9 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. 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.
Nassau Community College landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,016. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #11 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Monroe Community College placed #12 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Farmingdale State College placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,764. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Erie Community College earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,069. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $11,833 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,256. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Dutchess Community College landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $17,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $41,070 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny At Albany came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,332. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $30,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,332 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #23 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,200. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Students borrow a median of $25,150 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,749. Set against $25,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Niagara University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
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. 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
