
[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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.
Leading the list is Louisiana State University Alexandria, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Louisiana. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Mcneese State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $25,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Nicholls State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $29,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Southeastern Louisiana University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,660. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $30,207 early in their careers. Set against $21,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $21,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. 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 Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $30,772. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $25,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Xavier University Of Louisiana earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,979. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,777 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,854. That is a strong return on a $26,777 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $43,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Grambling State University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $36,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $27,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Southern University And A And M College placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $45,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
Dillard University came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $22,734. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Dillard University generally make around $18,155. Set against $34,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $33,428. That is a strong return on a $23,082 median debt. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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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 · 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.