by our College Data Analytics Team
[Radio & Television](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/radio-and-television/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for radio & television students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio & television degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among radio & television schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for radio & television. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #3. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for radio & television. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for radio & television value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,191. Radio & Television graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #7 spot for radio & television value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $26,951. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Del Mar College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
De Anza College came in at #11 for value in radio & television this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #12 for value in radio & television this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Butte College earned the #14 position for value in radio & television this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $13,302. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #15 position for value in radio & television this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Fullerton College placed #17 among the best values for radio & television. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Chaffey College came in at #18 for value in radio & television this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $10,729. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College landed the #20 spot for radio & television value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College landed the #21 spot for radio & television value this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $11,595. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #22 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $8,542. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $17,558. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Miracosta College landed the #23 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
College Of Dupage ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value radio & television schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Cosumnes River College placed #25 among the best values for radio & television. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for radio & television this year:
Explore the best-value radio & television schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.