[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 310 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication sciences students.
Finding the Best Value Communication Sciences School for You
The right communication sciences school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Communication Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Communication Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Pasadena City College tops our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $11,544 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for communication sciences. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $14,250. Communication Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $53,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $52,727. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $50,476. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $57,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #8 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $67,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,356. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cerritos College came in at #10 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,306. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online landed the #11 spot for communication sciences value this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $26,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #12 for value in communication sciences this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno landed the #14 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $17,336. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $50,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Orange Coast College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $8,978. Communication Sciences graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #16 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $64,391. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #17 position for value in communication sciences this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #18 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,095. Communication Sciences graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for communication sciences. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $50,682. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University East Bay came in at #21 for value in communication sciences 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,261. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $54,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida State University earned the #22 position for value in communication sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,309. Communication Sciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $33,968 early in their careers. Set against $20,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #23 position for value in communication sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $64,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,998. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,998 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
American River College landed the #25 spot for communication sciences value this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for communication sciences this year:
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 · 310 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 310 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).
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
