by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.
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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 Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #4. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $24,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,957 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
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West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,880 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $34,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $29,950. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Ursinus College placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,061. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $35,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,456 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,574. Set against $26,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.