[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 290 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,331. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,530. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Murray State University came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,258 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $39,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,258 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $36,842. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,854 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $38,637. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,139. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
The University Of West Florida placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $30,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,559. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
American Public University System earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,555 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,555 median debt.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,656. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $47,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Holmes Community College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,331. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $27,754 early in their careers. Set against $19,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $28,996. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $33,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 290 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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.
