[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the media arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in media arts in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $13,389. Early-career media arts graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University East Bay one of the best values for media arts. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,202. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $27,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,227. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #6 for value in media arts this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best values for media arts. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $72,293 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for media arts value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $28,350. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #9 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $62,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #10 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $48,406. Set against $22,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia placed #13 among the best values for media arts. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $46,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #14 among the best values for media arts. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $58,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #15 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #16 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,443. Early-career media arts graduates make about $47,233. Set against $23,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #17 position for value in media arts this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $26,773. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Kansas came in at #18 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #20 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Michigan State University ranked #21 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. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $69,257. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,044. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $26,209. Set against $23,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #24 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $56,059. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #25 position for value in media arts this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $58,339. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s media arts value ranking:
Explore the best-value media arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Media Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
