by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for media arts in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the best values for media arts. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $12,497. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
A rank of #3 makes Aims Community College one of the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned it the #4 place for media arts. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $18,888. Media Arts graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #6 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado Media School ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Colorado Media School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $9,500. Media Arts graduates of Colorado Media School earn a median of $18,896 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.