[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 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Delaware County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,125. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,068. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #3. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $31,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,471. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $24,794. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $35,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $29,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,924. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,127. That is a strong return on a $26,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,875. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $34,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Albright College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Albright College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Students from in state pay about $29,082 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $31,704. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,999. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Allegheny College placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $31,994 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,307. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Media, Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $34,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saint Vincent College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $25,889. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Washington And Jefferson College landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,392. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $39,584 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $28,507. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,046. That is a strong return on a $28,507 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
