[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2026 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.
Bristol Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in the New England Region. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,482. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,893. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $12,059. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,894. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. That is a strong return on a $10,894 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of New Hampshire At Manchester, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,418. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $43,551. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,920. That is a strong return on a $22,623 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Worcester State University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $34,235 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,399. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rhode Island College placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,357. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Fitchburg State University placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $30,662 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,848. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $34,146 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,057. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $37,192. That is a strong return on a $26,057 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $36,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,134 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Keene State College came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $34,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Students borrow a median of $25,069 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $27,909. Set against $25,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $24,068 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,473. Set against $24,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Plymouth State University earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $31,293. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $43,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $32,721. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,380. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $29,984 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Nhti Concords Community College earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,046. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,550. That is a strong return on a $18,046 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
