[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 149 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.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,982 to complete the communication & media studies program here. 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. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,327. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Truman State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. 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. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $18,350 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $30,201 early in their careers. Set against $18,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,288. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Washburn University placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Fort Hays State University came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,387. 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.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,279. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,362. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,577. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,159. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $35,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,159 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,195. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,312 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Set against $22,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Wayne State College placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,833. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $46,327 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,138. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $39,702 early in their careers. Set against $22,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Emporia State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $37,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,425. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,497. Set against $19,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $32,394. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,173. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.
Bemidji State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,875. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $34,243. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 149 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.
