by our College Data Analytics Team
[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
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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 University Of North Texas At Dallas, our #1 best value for media arts in the Southwest Region. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #3 place for media arts. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,737. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $21,182. Set against $21,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Rose State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #6 spot for media arts value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,302. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $43,038. That is a strong return on a $21,302 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $47,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #8 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $26,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center landed the #9 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $14,859 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Francis Tuttle Technology Center earn a median of $26,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sam Houston State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #11 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,858. Early-career media arts graduates make about $31,977. That is a strong return on a $21,858 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University landed the #12 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $31,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
West Texas A And M University landed the #13 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $30,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. 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. Early-career media arts graduates make about $27,551. Set against $23,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #15 among the best values for media arts. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $41,107. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Saint Edwards University came in at #16 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $36,708 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.