[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value instructional media design schools.
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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 Fort Hays State University this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $59,495. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for instructional media design. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $49,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for instructional media design. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $52,888. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,585. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Capella University came in at #7 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $35,998. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $73,738. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Iowa State University came in at #8 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $61,959. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota State University came in at #10 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $28,724. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $51,970. Set against $28,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Baker University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Baker University generally make around $62,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baker University admits about 94% of applicants.
Walden University placed #12 among the best values for instructional media design. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $65,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
