[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in media arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Purdue University Global, our #1 best value for media arts in Indiana. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $46,125 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $48,015. That is a strong return on a $46,125 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $22,959. Early-career media arts graduates make about $28,508. Set against $22,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #3 makes Ball State University one of the best values for media arts. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,443. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,676. Set against $23,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Valparaiso University one of the best values for media arts. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $26,724. Media Arts graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 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.
