[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,125. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,102. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #3. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $29,858 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $29,963. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $24,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for communication & media studies. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
La Salle University earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,924. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $36,127. Set against $26,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Albright College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,704. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $31,994. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,889. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Jefferson College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,392. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Washington And Jefferson College generally make around $39,584. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.
Arcadia University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,061. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Alvernia University earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $53,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alvernia University admits about 58% 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), 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
