2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for communication sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in communication sciences in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #4. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $17,463. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $53,803. That is a strong return on a $17,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus one of the best values for communication sciences. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,000. Communication Sciences graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #6 for value in communication sciences this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $62,705. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #8 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,118 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $41,181 early in their careers. Set against $24,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $50,247. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #10 position for value in communication sciences this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,800. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $50,034. Set against $20,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University placed #12 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,536 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $64,496. That is a strong return on a $20,536 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #13 position for value in communication sciences this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,500. Communication Sciences graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $49,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston landed the #14 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,250. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $47,273. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #15 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $16,393. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $41,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,393 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #16 for value in communication sciences this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $57,449 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Tulsa came in at #17 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $51,276. That is a strong return on a $23,638 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Arizona earned the #18 position for value in communication sciences this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,127 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $53,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,127 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #19 among the best values for communication sciences. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,524. Communication Sciences graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $62,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,524 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,443 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $44,567. That is a strong return on a $20,443 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $55,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio came in at #22 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,106. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earn a median of $68,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #23 position for value in communication sciences this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,251. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $53,131 early in their careers. Set against $20,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #24 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,500. Communication Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $41,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University landed the #25 spot for communication sciences value this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication sciences value ranking:
Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
