[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 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.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among media arts schools in Wisconsin. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #2 place for media arts. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,637 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $26,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
