by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is Landmark College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Vermont. Set in the rural area of Putney, Landmark College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,540. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Median earnings reach $29,813 ten years out. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.