2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Colorado
[Communication & Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & journalism education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in Colorado
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & journalism schools in Colorado. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at Community College Of Denver, which ranked #2. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $18,830. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $45,202. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Aims Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. 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 communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Colorado State University Pueblo one of the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $22,824. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $31,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & journalism will find it at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #5. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $39,662. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Front Range Community College placed #6 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt.
Mesa State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,036 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $32,899 early in their careers. Set against $23,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value communication & journalism schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,038 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $35,289. That is a strong return on a $29,038 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #9 among the best values for communication & journalism. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $37,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College landed the #10 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $30,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #11 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $22,535 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $33,469. That is a strong return on a $22,535 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Regis University earned the #12 position for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #13 spot for communication & journalism value this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for communication & journalism graduates is $23,028. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $36,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #14 position for value in communication & journalism this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Communication & Journalism graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $61,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University came in at #15 for value in communication & journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & journalism program here. Early-career communication & journalism graduates make about $37,129. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Media School placed #16 among the best values for communication & journalism. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado Media School is a small private for-profit university. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,395 in student loans. Communication & Journalism graduates of Colorado Media School earn a median of $17,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Denver came in at #17 for value in communication & journalism this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Communication & Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & journalism degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $50,009. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
More Communication & Journalism Rankings
View All Communication & Journalism Rankings >
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
