2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Associate’s Degree Schools
[Audiovisual Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 349 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for audiovisual communications students.
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2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the audiovisual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools
Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among audiovisual communications schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in audiovisual communications will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for audiovisual communications. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in audiovisual communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #5 place for audiovisual communications. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $14,557. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #7 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $30,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College came in at #8 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #9 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $13,180. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #11 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $29,299. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #13 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $16,294. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $18,929. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #15 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College earned the #16 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $39,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #17 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,205. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #18 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $13,511 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $27,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $15,787. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $43,438. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications 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. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Gaston College placed #24 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #25 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in audiovisual communications:
Other Audiovisual Communications Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Audiovisual Communications rankings across degree levels:
View All Audiovisual Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 349 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
