2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

2

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Orange Coast College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $8,978. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. 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.

5

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $12,733. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $44,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

10

Glendale Community College Glendale Ca
Glendale, CA

Glendale Community College Glendale Ca came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,191 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.

12

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. 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.

13

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,624. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $32,365. Set against $20,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

14

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

15

San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA

San Joaquin Delta College came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $11,180 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $43,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

17

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $50,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

18

Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,388, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,510. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $95,666. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.

19

College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,826. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,675. Communication & Media Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $44,130 early in their careers. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

21

Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,316. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,436. That is a strong return on a $21,316 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

22

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.

23

College Of Marin
Kentfield, CA

College Of Marin came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. College Of Marin is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kentfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,558, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from College Of Marin generally make around $98,893. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Eastern Oregon University
La Grande, OR

Eastern Oregon University earned the #24 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,184, compared with $24,729 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,801 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,041. Set against $29,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.

25

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,412. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $31,366 early in their careers. Set against $22,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.