2026 Best Value Health Communication Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Health Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/health-communication/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health communication education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for health communication students.
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2026 Best Value Health Communication Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Communication Schools
Stony Brook University earned the #1 spot for value among health communication schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Health Communication graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health communication, landing the #2 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the health communication program here. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health communication will find it at Rowan University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for health communication graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $35,116. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #4 place for health communication. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Health Communication graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #5 makes Rider University one of the best values for health communication. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #6 spot for health communication value this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. Health Communication graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health communication schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Health Communication graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health communication degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
George Washington University placed #8 among the best values for health communication. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the health communication program here. Health Communication graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,569 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.