Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools in the Far Western Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for instructional media design. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $78,229. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #4 place for instructional media design. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $80,952 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Foothill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #5 spot this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $11,595. Instructional Media Design graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
California State University East Bay ranked #6 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the instructional media design program here. 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.
Eastern Washington University earned the #7 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #8 position for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #9 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $89,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #10 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $16,417. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $86,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Ashford University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $37,758. Instructional Media Design graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $48,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,758 median debt.
National University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $82,830. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of San Diego earned the #14 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,795. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Narrow Instructional Media Design Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
