[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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.
Rhode Island College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in Rhode Island. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $34,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,887 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $36,785 early in their careers. Set against $24,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brown University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $23,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Johnson And Wales University Providence is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,125. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $28,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salve Regina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Salve Regina University earn a median of $33,230 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salve Regina University admits about 68% of applicants.
Roger Williams University placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Roger Williams University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bristol. Students from in state pay about $45,197 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,596. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roger Williams University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bryant University earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Smithfield, Bryant University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,677 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bryant University generally make around $45,071. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
