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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies

616 Ranked Colleges
66,787 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools” ranking.

With 66,787 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools” ranking, we looked at 616 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communications Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communications Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for communications students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies

1

Out of the 616 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 95 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, BYU is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for Communications students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at BYU

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 257 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,038 for Communications students per year to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Phoenix - Arizona

3

Out of the 616 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. CNM is a fairly large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 87 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,322 for Communications students per year to attend CNM.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Communication & Media Studies Report

4
Top 15% in overall quality
$48,067 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Skysong. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 712 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, ASU - Skysong is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ASU - Skysong

5
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Out of the 616 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Drake University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 41 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Drake is also in the top of our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It costs about $29,903 for communications students per year to attend Drake.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Drake University

6

With a ranking of #6, Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 236 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $6,698 for communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full BYU - I Communication & Media Studies Report

7
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

With a ranking of #7, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,389 for communications students per year to attend University of South Dakota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of South Dakota

8
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 38 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $18,578 for communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at South Dakota State

9

With a ranking of #9, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 116 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,462 for Communications students per year to attend SIUE.

Full SIUE Communication & Media Studies Report

10

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 117 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UW - Whitewater is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,417 for Communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Whitewater

11

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa excels when it comes to communications quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for communications students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USF Tampa Communication & Media Studies Report

12
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

With a ranking of #12, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,585 for Communications students per year to attend Grand Canyon University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Grand Canyon University

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 77 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $17,634 for Communications students per year to attend Winona State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Winona State Communication & Media Studies Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 141 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Minnesota State Mankato is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $17,159 for communications students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

15
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #15, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 316 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $29,382 for communications students per year to attend Liberty University.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Liberty University

16

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 55 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,051 for Communications students per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

17

With a ranking of #17, Colorado State University - Global Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Greenwood Village, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State University - Global Campus is $14,954 for communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Colorado State University - Global Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

18
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking, coming in at #18. Wayne State College is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $14,141 for communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Wayne State College

19

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 81 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $14,654 for Communications students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

20
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 104 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $16,966 for communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UND

21
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York
Top 10% in overall quality
$61,344 Average Early-Career Earnings

The Graduate Center, CUNY ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. The Graduate Center is located in New York, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The Graduate Center also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The Graduate Center

22

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking, coming in at #22. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNI also did well on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,438 for Communications students per year to attend UNI.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Northern Iowa Communication & Media Studies Report

23
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for communications students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University

24

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for communications students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

25

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 100 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,718 for communications students per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Media Studies Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Communications Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
27
27
29
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
30
31
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
32
33
34
35
36
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri
37
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
45
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
46
47
48
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
48
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
48

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Communications Schools

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO
52University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL
53West Texas A&M UniversityCanyon, TX
54Austin Community College DistrictAustin, TX
55East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
56San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA
57University of KansasLawrence, KS
58Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
59Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
60Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE
61California State University - NorthridgeNorthridge, CA
62University of MemphisMemphis, TN
63California State University - San MarcosSan Marcos, CA
64Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
65Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI
RankCollegeLocation
66Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX
67Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
68Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI
69Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT
70Purdue University NorthwestHammond, IN
71Arkansas State University - Main CampusJonesboro, AR
72The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX
73University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
74Murray State UniversityMurray, KY
75San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
76University of Wisconsin - ParksideKenosha, WI
77University of HoustonHouston, TX
78Weber State UniversityOgden, UT
79University of FloridaGainesville, FL
80University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
81University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD
82University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
82Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO
84University of WyomingLaramie, WY
85Dixie State UniversitySaint George, UT
86East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN
87Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN
88Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI
89California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
90University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS
RankCollegeLocation
91SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY
92Walden UniversityMinneapolis, MN
93James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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