by our College Data Analytics Team
[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong media arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for media arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the media arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in media arts, no school beat Lewis And Clark Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Rock Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $9,236. Early-career media arts graduates make about $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #3 place for media arts. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for media arts. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $20,778. Media Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $15,854. Media Arts graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #7 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $25,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $24,191. That is a strong return on a $25,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Illinois Media School Chicago Campus landed the #8 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a small private for-profit institution. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $18,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern University came in at #9 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $56,833. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Illinois Media School ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Illinois Media School generally make around $18,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Depaul University came in at #11 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #12 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $38,312 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.