[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,262. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,875. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,918. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,623 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $32,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,623 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. 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. Set against $8,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,350. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $21,484. That is a strong return on a $7,350 median debt.
Onondaga Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,833. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. That is a strong return on a $11,833 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,949. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Suny College At Oswego placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,389 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stony Brook University placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Frostburg State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $28,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $29,860. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,439. Communication & Media Studies graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $31,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $24,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,973. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $39,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,251 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Delaware State University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,670, while out-of-state students pay about $20,634. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $31,881. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,957. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
