[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for media arts students.
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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 Ohio University Main Campus this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $25,000. Media Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $24,987 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $26,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the best values for media arts. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $29,405. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Cedarville University, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $33,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned it the #5 place for media arts. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career media arts graduates make about $28,719. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio Media School Valley View earned the #6 position for value in media arts this year. Ohio Media School Valley View is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Valley View. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $18,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Ohio Media School Columbus landed the #7 spot for media arts value this year. The Ohio Media School Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $18,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio Media School Cincinnati came in at #8 for value in media arts this year. Located in the suburb of Norwood, Ohio Media School Cincinnati is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Ohio Media School Cincinnati generally make around $15,006. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Oxford came in at #9 for value in media arts this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $24,250. Media Arts graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $50,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Xavier University came in at #10 for value in media arts this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $25,642 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $28,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,642 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
