[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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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.
Saint Cloud State University tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in Minnesota. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $40,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Rochester Community And Technical College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,798. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Bemidji State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,243. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Concordia University Saint Paul earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. 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.
Winona State University came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,197. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $39,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $59,409 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
