[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,991 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, 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%.
Western Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,050 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $38,234 early in their careers. Set against $24,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,643 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $28,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $27,682 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,663 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,411. That is a strong return on a $29,663 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $39,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $29,417. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $24,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
North Carolina Central University came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $29,662 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,750. Set against $29,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,096 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $24,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $36,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Gardner Webb University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $63,220. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
Barton College placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,000. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,122. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Barton College generally make around $43,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Wake Forest University placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $42,055. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Queens University Of Charlotte earn a median of $42,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
High Point University came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $48,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
