[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 104 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.
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,669. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $58,996. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,530. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $30,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,559. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
John Tyler Community College landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,262. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #11 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #12 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $24,481 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $26,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,481 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $25,131. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Alabama placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,329. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $29,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,329 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,663 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,411. That is a strong return on a $29,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,643. Communication & Media Studies graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $28,985 early in their careers. Set against $27,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Valdosta State University placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,706. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,125. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,682. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $29,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,381 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $26,922. Set against $23,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #23 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Nicholls State University came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,456. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
