[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong instructional media design education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for instructional media design students.
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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.
For return on investment in instructional media design, no school beat University Of Central Florida this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $62,483. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. 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. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $20,488. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,977. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place for instructional media design. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Valdosta State University placed #6 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $68,514 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of West Florida ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $19,677. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $54,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in instructional media design this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #9 for value in instructional media design this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $65,188. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama came in at #12 for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia placed #13 among the best values for instructional media design. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $67,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of West Alabama placed #14 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $55,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #15 spot for instructional media design value this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $61,422. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #16 for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $64,530. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #17 spot for instructional media design value this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,257. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $48,024. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #18 spot for instructional media design value this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $50,203. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $49,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University landed the #20 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $58,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Jacksonville State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $56,840. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $58,529. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Winthrop University came in at #23 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Students borrow a median of $27,040 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $39,378. Set against $27,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #24 for value in instructional media design this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $71,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $78,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s instructional media design value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
