[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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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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.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Pikes Peak Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,066. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Denver earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado State University Pueblo earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,824. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $39,662. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Front Range Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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.
Mesa State College placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,036 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $32,899. That is a strong return on a $23,036 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,939. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,647 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,731. That is a strong return on a $24,647 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $39,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $37,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Denver landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $50,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
