by our College Data Analytics Team
[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong media arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in media arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in media arts, no school beat College Of Dupage this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Miracosta College one of the best values for media arts. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #3 place for media arts. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Tulsa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $15,789. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #5 place for media arts. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $8,764. Early-career media arts graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Clackamas Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Clackamas Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oregon City. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $13,915. Media Arts graduates of Clackamas Community College earn a median of $31,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #8 for value in media arts this year. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #9 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $16,135. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Capital Community College earned the #10 position for value in media arts this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College came in at #11 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $11,199. Media Arts graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $43,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #13 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #14 spot for media arts value this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dunwoody College Of Technology came in at #15 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,973 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $53,751. Set against $18,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
Explore the best-value media arts schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.