[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Bristol Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. 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 Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #2. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. 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.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Massasoit Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,938. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Fitchburg State University one of 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, compared with $17,426 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 $30,662. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,480. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,848 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,380. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Westfield State University landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value 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. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,168. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon College landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,108 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,675. That is a strong return on a $25,108 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $42,256. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Clark University earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Clark University earn a median of $42,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,153 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Regis College earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $58,260. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Assumption College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,356. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,914. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Stonehill College came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,543. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stonehill College admits about 66% of applicants.
Curry College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dean College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Students borrow a median of $21,969 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dean College generally make around $30,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $38,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $52,891. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Merrimack College placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Endicott College landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $36,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
Boston College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $55,162. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
