2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,054. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,875. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. 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. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,623 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,484. That is a strong return on a $14,623 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

6

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. 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 Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. Set against $16,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

7

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,424. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

8

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,433. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

9

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,348. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

10

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #11 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

12

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $31,085. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.

13

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,310. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

14

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,956. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $30,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

16

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,624 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

17

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $39,775. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

18

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,559 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

19

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $44,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $19,331 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,547. Set against $19,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

21

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,571. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

23

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria earned the #23 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

24

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,071. That is a strong return on a $20,340 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

25

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,623. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $35,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.