[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Orange Coast College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Gavilan College, which ranked #4. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $5,939. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chabot College earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Sierra College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Foothill College earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,595. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,191, compared with $10,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,800. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. 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. 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%.
Fullerton College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
University Of California Berkeley placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,180. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Desert landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of College Of The Desert earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $7,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Hondo College came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,510. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
San Diego State University came in at #16 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,675. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $44,130. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Pomona College placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. 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.
College Of Marin placed #18 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Kentfield, College Of Marin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,558 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of College Of Marin earn a median of $98,893 early in their careers. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Students borrow a median of $22,412 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,485 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,485 median debt. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,471. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $65,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,471 median debt.
Pitzer College earned the #22 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,192. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Pitzer College earn a median of $40,668 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
Scripps College placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,539 ten years after entry. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco earned the #24 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $39,000. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $46,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,138. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Loma Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
