[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value media arts schools.
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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 University Of Michigan Flint this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Oakland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $15,865. Media Arts graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for media arts. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $34,019. Early-career media arts graduates make about $20,526. That is a strong return on a $34,019 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Michigan University earned it the #4 place for media arts. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $22,608. Media Arts graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $24,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Central Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $29,205. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $25,213. Media Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $69,257 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Northwood University Michigan earned the #9 position for value in media arts this year. Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $34,400. Students borrow a median of $25,344 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Northwood University Michigan generally make around $50,791. Set against $25,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
