[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 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in Idaho. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,207. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,941. That is a strong return on a $13,207 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Idaho State University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Boise State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,095. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,954. That is a strong return on a $23,095 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
