[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 7 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Our analysis ranked Fort Hays State University the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in Kansas. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $25,159 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,772. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pittsburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Emporia State University earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $37,095 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Kansas State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,945 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $30,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
