[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Berea College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in Kentucky. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $5,801. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Berea College earn a median of $30,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $33,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,857. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $26,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,857 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $19,331 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $35,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,769. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,549. That is a strong return on a $26,769 median debt.
University Of Kentucky placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,875. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,311. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Alice Lloyd College placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Pippa Passes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,960. Median earnings reach $40,573 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Asbury University came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Students borrow a median of $28,104 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $50,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Students borrow a median of $25,853 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $34,858. Set against $25,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Transylvania University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. Students borrow a median of $26,653 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Transylvania University generally make around $45,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
