[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 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 Iowa Central Community College, our #1 best value for media arts in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,604 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $36,324. Set against $19,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #4 place for media arts. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,289. Media Arts graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #5 place for media arts. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,608. Media Arts graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #6 spot for media arts value this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Kansas State University earned the #7 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $51,543. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Dunwoody College Of Technology earned the #8 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $18,973 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $53,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,973 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University placed #9 among the best values for media arts. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $22,273. Media Arts graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
