[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Bunker Hill Community College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the New England Region. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,482. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earn a median of $43,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capital Community College earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $22,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $35,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,357. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. 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. Set against $26,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Westfield State University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $32,134. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Salem State University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,302. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $30,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,480. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Keene State College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $34,372 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,057. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,192. Set against $26,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #17 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,887 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $36,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,887 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,984. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,380. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Plymouth State University placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $31,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $32,721. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $43,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. 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, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,068. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $40,473. Set against $24,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Boston University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,108 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,675. Set against $25,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Post University placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $35,364. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Post University generally make around $50,494. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
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. 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
