[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 15 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.
Leading the list is Community College Of Allegheny County, our #1 best value for media arts in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for media arts. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $23,309. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gannon University earned it the #3 place for media arts. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $26,934. Media Arts graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Millersville University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for media arts. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Marywood University one of the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,744. Early-career media arts graduates make about $53,292. Set against $27,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $22,057. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #7 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $24,937. Early-career media arts graduates make about $39,030. Set against $24,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University came in at #8 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College earned the #9 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $45,286. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University earned the #10 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #12 among the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $64,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Christian College earned the #13 position for value in media arts this year. Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Phoenixville. In-state tuition and fees average $25,240. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $28,751. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for media arts. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $24,937. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $39,030. That is a strong return on a $24,937 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Drexel University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $63,562. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
