[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 41 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.
Our analysis ranked Washburn University the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,932. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $40,279. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,387 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,772. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,325 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bemidji State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,875. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $34,243. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,327. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,584. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Winona State University placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $38,197. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
South Dakota State University landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $39,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,798. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lindenwood University landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,346. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #17 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,103. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $46,956. That is a strong return on a $26,103 median debt. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $35,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Loras College landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Students borrow a median of $25,166 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Wartburg College placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $40,255. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
Augsburg College placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $59,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Webster University came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Webster University earn a median of $55,445 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
