[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 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 43 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 Cuny City College, our #1 best value for media arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Suny Westchester Community College one of the best values for media arts. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earned it the #3 place for media arts. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $21,056 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $56,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $11,154. Media Arts graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $43,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #5. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $25,425. Media Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $29,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #6 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Towson University landed the #7 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $22,024. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $22,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,500. Early-career media arts graduates make about $23,551. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #9 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $25,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $28,559. That is a strong return on a $25,822 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in media arts this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $23,309. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University placed #11 among the best values for media arts. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $26,054. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny At Purchase College placed #12 among the best values for media arts. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $23,689 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $23,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Gannon University came in at #15 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career media arts graduates make about $22,057. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University earned the #17 position for value in media arts this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,744 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $53,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College landed the #18 spot for media arts value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Students borrow a median of $24,937 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $39,030. That is a strong return on a $24,937 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
Stevenson University landed the #19 spot for media arts value this year. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,042 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $50,346. That is a strong return on a $27,042 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Point Park University earned the #20 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $17,479 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career media arts graduates make about $45,286. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for media arts value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Saint Bonaventure University landed the #23 spot for media arts value this year. Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,735. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Saint Bonaventure University generally make around $27,714. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #24 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $32,256. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $64,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s media arts value ranking:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
