[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communication-and-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 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 The University Of Texas Pan American, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in the Southwest Region. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $56,309. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $24,777 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $37,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
East Central University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,571. Communication & Media Studies graduates of East Central University earn a median of $24,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,571 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Midwestern State University came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $25,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $15,021 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Set against $15,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,337. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $45,743 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $27,707 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $28,247 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $43,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $45,009. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Texas Tech University came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,730. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,783 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,963. Set against $38,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $17,048. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Austin College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,121. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Austin College generally make around $32,287. That is a strong return on a $24,264 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Trinity University earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $34,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Oral Roberts University placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $39,206. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
East Texas Baptist University came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $30,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,137. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from East Texas Baptist University generally make around $44,734. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $32,123. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
