[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Glendale Community College Glendale Az this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,996. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Estrella Mountain Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Chandler Gilbert Community College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $45,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $47,919 early in their careers. Set against $45,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,375. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $41,491. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #8 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. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $56,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $42,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $43,323. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Ottawa University Surprise earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Surprise, Ottawa University Surprise is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,880 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
