by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communications education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 438 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communications students.
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The communications program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Communications Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Communications Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $15,827. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Communications graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #3 place for communications. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $8,978. Communications graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $7,892 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,367. That is a strong return on a $7,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #5 place for communications. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $11,750. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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Central New Mexico Community College landed the #6 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $11,196. Communications graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Las Positas College landed the #8 spot for communications value this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #9 among the best values for communications. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Communications graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Communications graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $29,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Palomar College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Capital Community College placed #11 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #12 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Communications graduates carry a median of $13,207 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,941. Set against $13,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #13 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $17,345 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $36,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,345 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #14 position for value in communications this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $14,568 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $33,046. Set against $14,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #15 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,912. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #16 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Communications graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,748. That is a strong return on a $11,956 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University earned the #17 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $22,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for communications value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Communications graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #19 spot for communications value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Fullerton College came in at #20 for value in communications this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Snow College came in at #21 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Latter Day Saints Business College placed #22 among the best values for communications. Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Tulsa Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #24 position for value in communications this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,322 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $32,050. Set against $24,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,018. Communications graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $46,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,018 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communications value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Communications. See all related rankings.
This list is compiled 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 · 438 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.