[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 26 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.
Our analysis ranked Bunker Hill Community College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in Massachusetts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $34,235. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Salem State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. 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, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $34,302. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgewater State University earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,848 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $34,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Westfield State University came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,480 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,380 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #9 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Boston University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,108 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $40,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,108 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,256. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Gordon College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,097. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,636. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Regis College came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Regis College earn a median of $58,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,441 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Fisher College landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $35,689 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,625. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,510. That is a strong return on a $27,625 median debt. Fisher College admits about 71% of applicants.
Lasell College landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. Students from in state pay about $27,040 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,168. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Clark University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $42,329. That is a strong return on a $26,153 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,670. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $57,261. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $27,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.
Northeastern University earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $52,891. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Dean College earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Dean College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. Students from in state pay about $46,526 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,969 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Dean College earn a median of $30,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,969 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Stonehill College came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Stonehill College earn a median of $37,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stonehill College admits about 66% of applicants.
Merrimack College earned the #23 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,783 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $29,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Endicott College placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $36,233. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
Boston College came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $55,162. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 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.
