[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 137 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.
Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Southwest Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. 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 #5 makes Amarillo College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,789. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,054. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,109. That is a strong return on a $20,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Houston Community College came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,223. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $22,852 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $46,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System earned the #14 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,829. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $28,566. That is a strong return on a $19,829 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,923 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,858. Set against $22,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,819. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $23,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,571 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $24,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northeastern State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $34,703. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Lamar University landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,669. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $32,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,309. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Midwestern State University earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
