2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for communication sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Pasadena City College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,306. Communication Sciences graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,196. Communication Sciences graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $57,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. 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.
Orange Coast College landed the #6 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $8,978. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,356. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,500. That is a strong return on a $15,356 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
American River College placed #8 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
California State University Long Beach came in at #9 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. 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. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,336 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $50,826. Set against $17,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in communication sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $50,682. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos landed the #13 spot for communication sciences value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,998 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University East Bay placed #14 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,261. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $54,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #15 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $54,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $23,907. Communication Sciences graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $48,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #17 for value in communication sciences this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $52,507 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University earned the #18 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $70,852 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Jose State University earned the #19 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Nevada State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $6,765, while out-of-state students pay about $21,833. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,909 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $47,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Washington State University earned the #21 position for value in communication sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $48,562. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #22 position for value in communication sciences this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $14,622. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Chico placed #23 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $51,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #24 position for value in communication sciences this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $50,428. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #25 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $43,544. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication sciences:
Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State
More Communication Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
