[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.
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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.
Leading the list is Snow College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Utah. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $12,220 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $12,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #3. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $55,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $40,245. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Latter Day Saints Business College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Utah State University came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $37,574. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,530 in student loans. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $32,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,017 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $43,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,017 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Utah came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,528. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,454 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,604. Set against $24,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
