[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the Southwest Region. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $6,868. Communication & Media Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,112. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $22,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,100 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,956. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Amarillo College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,223. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $20,054 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Tulsa Community College placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,789. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,026. Communication & Media Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,923. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $37,858. Set against $22,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $25,669 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $32,556. Set against $25,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Blinn College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,465. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,869. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,766. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $34,123. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
East Central University landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,571 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $24,638. That is a strong return on a $24,571 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Lone Star College System earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Midwestern State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,728. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,852. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $46,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,852 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
