by our College Data Analytics Team
[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for instructional media design students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in instructional media design, no school beat Suny Empire State College this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Essex County College one of the best values for instructional media design. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilmington University earned it the #3 place for instructional media design. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $67,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,241. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $65,061. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,128 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,509. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #6 position for value in instructional media design this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $26,540. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
New Jersey City University placed #7 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $22,107. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $70,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Delaware landed the #8 spot for instructional media design value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Albany landed the #9 spot for instructional media design value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,521. Instructional Media Design graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #10 for value in instructional media design this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #11 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $78,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #12 among the best values for instructional media design. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $22,046. Instructional Media Design graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $69,962 early in their careers. Set against $22,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #13 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $65,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #15 among the best values for instructional media design. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,990. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $62,499. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $63,439. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,488. Instructional Media Design graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Wilson College came in at #18 for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,100 in tuition and fees. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $34,814 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Wilson College earn a median of $64,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilson College admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #19 spot for instructional media design value this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,276. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,382. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Molloy College came in at #20 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,790. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $27,420. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $65,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University placed #21 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Wilkes University earned the #22 position for value in instructional media design this year. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $16,155. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #24 spot for instructional media design value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Touro College came in at #25 for value in instructional media design this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $20,052 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $60,520. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in instructional media design:
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.