[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 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.
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,982. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $38,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $41,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minot State University earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,788. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Truman State University placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Students borrow a median of $25,288 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,458. Set against $25,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wichita State University landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,159 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,035. That is a strong return on a $25,159 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,312. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,496. Set against $22,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,387 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,875. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $21,326 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,326 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,291. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pittsburg State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Wayne State College placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $35,833 early in their careers. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Winona State University landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $38,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,138 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $39,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Bellevue University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,852. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $34,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $46,320. That is a strong return on a $34,933 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,425 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $19,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $38,584. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% 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), 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
