[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 137 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value instructional media design schools.
Finding the Best Value Instructional Media Design School for You
Where you study instructional media design affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for instructional media design in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $78,229 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for instructional media design. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $74,406 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $14,694. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $58,960. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Foothill College placed #6 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Florida State University came in at #7 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $62,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $62,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #9 position for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $19,137. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Essex County College landed the #11 spot for instructional media design value this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #13 for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Western Kentucky University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,499. Instructional Media Design graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #15 among the best values for instructional media design. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $64,005. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Valdosta State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $68,514. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $62,536. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Suny Empire State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #19 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $54,158. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #20 among the best values for instructional media design. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Lone Star College System landed the #21 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $24,321. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Purdue University Global earned the #22 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,411. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Governors University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,277. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $63,169. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia earned the #24 position for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,792. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $65,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Eastern Washington University placed #25 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in instructional media design:
This ranking is produced 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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 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).
[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
