2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $58,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #5. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,750. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,262. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

6

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. 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 $14,430 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,484. Set against $14,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #9 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,433. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

10

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,331 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

12

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,122. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.

13

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.

15

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,433 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,638. That is a strong return on a $16,433 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

16

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,500. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,991 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

17

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,643. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,643 median debt.

18

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

19

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,139. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

21

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,085. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $36,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

24

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

Bunker Hill Community College earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.