[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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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 Austin Community College District this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #4. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,100 in student loans. 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. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Amarillo College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. 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.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. 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. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Blinn College came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $31,953. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, 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. Set against $22,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $25,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,990. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,021 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,777. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $37,958. Set against $24,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $45,743. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,519 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $20,175 early in their careers. Set against $20,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,817. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $19,829 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $28,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for communication & media studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
