If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the instructional media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Florida Atlantic University the best value for a degree in instructional media design in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $20,212. Instructional Media Design graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,977. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for instructional media design. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State 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 Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $62,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,620. 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. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #6 spot for instructional media design value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $19,677. Instructional Media Design graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $54,158 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #7 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $7,018. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Kentucky University earned the #8 position for value in instructional media design this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,162.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. 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%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in instructional media design this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $25,122. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Valdosta State University placed #12 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama placed #13 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,291. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #14 among the best values for instructional media design. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,792. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $65,188. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Memphis placed #15 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #16 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University placed #17 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $48,024. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $31,894. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $55,653. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #19 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $64,530. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $50,203. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mississippi State University earned the #21 position for value in instructional media design this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $40,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of West Georgia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $67,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $56,840 early in their careers. Set against $24,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $71,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #25 position for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,992. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
These schools also delivered strong value for instructional media design this year:
Narrow Instructional Media Design Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
