[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 10 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.
Our analysis ranked Tulsa Community College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in Oklahoma. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #3 makes East Central University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,571 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $24,638. Set against $24,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. That is a strong return on a $20,795 median debt.
University Of Tulsa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,638. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,612. Set against $23,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,337. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Oklahoma Baptist University placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Oklahoma Baptist University generally make around $47,100. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,206. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
