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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Greensboro the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in North Carolina. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,663 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $26,411 early in their careers. Set against $29,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,682. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Winston Salem State University earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Students borrow a median of $27,096 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $24,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $29,662. Communication & Media Studies graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $25,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Johnson C Smith University earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,300. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $26,090. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Elon University landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,637. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
