[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 296 schools to find the best return on investment for communication sciences students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in communication sciences in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $79,626. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for communication sciences. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $76,358 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for communication sciences. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,356 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $66,689 early in their careers. Set against $15,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for communication sciences. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $67,285. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $85,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $58,884. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $17,336. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $79,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #8 for value in communication sciences this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Communication Sciences graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $75,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in communication sciences this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $78,448. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #10 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $64,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #11 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $71,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #12 among the best values for communication sciences. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $57,741. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,998. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $74,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University East Bay placed #14 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $74,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #15 position for value in communication sciences this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,565. That is a strong return on a $20,309 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #16 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $81,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #17 for value in communication sciences this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,208 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $62,613. Set against $22,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University earned the #18 position for value in communication sciences this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,420 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $64,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #19 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,075 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $56,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #21 for value in communication sciences this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $56,964 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Texas Womans University landed the #22 spot for communication sciences value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,463 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $65,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $66,460. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Portland State University placed #24 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $61,171. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #25 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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. 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 · 296 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 296 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.
