by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for communication sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for communication sciences in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #2 place for communication sciences. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,278 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,709. Communication Sciences graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $47,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,709 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Carlow University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Students borrow a median of $30,222 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
La Salle University placed #6 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,462. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $59,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Marywood University placed #8 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $61,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Thiel College placed #9 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,344. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Thiel College earn a median of $36,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thiel College admits about 72% of applicants.
Gannon University placed #10 among the best values for communication sciences. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Misericordia University placed #11 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,370. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,262 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Misericordia University earn a median of $56,215 early in their careers. Set against $27,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Lebanon Valley College placed #12 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $49,801. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #13 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #14 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #15 for value in communication sciences this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #16 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $26,985. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $58,234. That is a strong return on a $26,985 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $26,561. Communication Sciences graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #19 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $59,307. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.