2026 Best Value Communications Master’s Degree Schools

1

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American tops our 2026 list of the best value communications schools in the United States. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,956 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $26,748. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

2

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Communications graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #4 place for communications. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $37,107 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

5

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for communications. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,777 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $37,958. That is a strong return on a $24,777 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

6

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #6 among the best values for communications. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $41,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for communications. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,192. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #8 spot for communications value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $39,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in communications this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

10

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #10 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $25,159 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #11 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $39,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University earned the #12 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $38,842. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #13 position for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $25,000. Early-career communications graduates make about $47,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

14

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,063 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

15

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University came in at #15 for value in communications this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Students borrow a median of $26,924 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $36,217 early in their careers. Set against $26,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

16

Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University earned the #16 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Communications graduates of Drury University earn a median of $37,267 early in their careers. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

17

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $38,783. Communications graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $33,963 early in their careers. Set against $38,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

18

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University landed the #18 spot for communications value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $48,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

19

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #19 for value in communications this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Communications graduates carry a median of $25,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $34,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

20

Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University earned the #20 position for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $42,647. That is a strong return on a $27,042 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

21

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University placed #21 among the best values for communications. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,153. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $42,329. Set against $26,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

22

Queens University Of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #22 spot for communications value this year. Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Queens University Of Charlotte generally make around $48,699. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

23

Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $58,260. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

24

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $23,531. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,443. Set against $23,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

25

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #25 spot for communications value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,916 in student loans. Communications graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.