[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong instructional media design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 118 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value instructional media design schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the instructional media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for instructional media design in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $78,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for instructional media design. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $14,430. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $16,202. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University East Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $74,406. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for instructional media design. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $58,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in instructional media design this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $62,599. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $62,483 early in their careers. 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 landed the #8 spot for instructional media design value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,829. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Lamar University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $64,005. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Valdosta State University landed the #11 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College landed the #13 spot for instructional media design value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Governors University earned the #14 position for value in instructional media design this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $68,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
University Of Georgia earned the #16 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, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. 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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #17 for value in instructional media design this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Alabama ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $26,789. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $67,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,913. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #21 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $89,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,632. Instructional Media Design graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #23 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University placed #24 among the best values for instructional media design. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $59,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #25 for value in instructional media design this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $69,698 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for instructional media design this year:
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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 · 118 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 118 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.
