2027 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Master’s Degree Schools
[Radio, Television & Digital Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for radio, television & digital communication students.
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2027 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in radio, television & digital communication, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools
Leading the list is Cuny City College, our #1 best value for radio, television & digital communication in the United States. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University East Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio, television & digital communication, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio, television & digital communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $21,202. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $27,148. Set against $21,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $32,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $28,350. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $76,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #7 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $10,492. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $72,293. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #9 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $62,846. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Chicago landed the #10 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia landed the #13 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $26,789. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $46,432. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $58,339 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #15 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #16 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $23,443 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $47,233. Set against $23,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication 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. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #18 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value radio, television & digital communication schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #21 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $69,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for radio, television & digital communication. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates carry a median of $23,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $26,209. Set against $23,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Southern University came in at #23 for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Students borrow a median of $34,750 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Soon after graduation, radio, television & digital communication degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. That is a strong return on a $34,750 median debt. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #24 position for value in radio, television & digital communication this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the radio, television & digital communication program here. Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #25 spot for radio, television & digital communication value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio, television & digital communication graduates is $17,921. Early-career radio, television & digital communication graduates make about $56,059. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s radio, television & digital communication value ranking:
Other Radio, Television & Digital Communication Degree Levels
Explore the best-value radio, television & digital communication schools at other degree levels:
View All Radio, Television & Digital Communication Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
