[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alcorn State University earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $27,087. Set against $29,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,219 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $31,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,219 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Southern Mississippi, which ranked #4. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Jackson State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Students borrow a median of $31,624 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $24,235. Set against $31,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mississippi College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $36,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
