[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Brigham Young University Idaho tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,207 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Snow College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $12,220 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. 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 Weber State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,566. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $55,569. Set against $16,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Latter Day Saints Business College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Southern Utah University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $40,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Front Range Community College earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $37,574. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,017 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $43,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,900. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $28,547 early in their careers. Set against $14,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,824. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $31,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,824 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,530. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $46,747 early in their careers. Set against $22,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $32,815. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Mesa State College earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $23,036 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,899. Set against $23,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $37,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Montana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,328. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $34,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,328 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $36,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,939 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $34,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,939 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Idaho State University placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $29,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $33,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $39,662 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Boise State University landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $23,095 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $37,954. Set against $23,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,647. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $38,731 early in their careers. Set against $24,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,738. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 53 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.
