DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 4
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 09.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Communication (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Communication (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Communications (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Communications (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Media Communication (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Media Communication (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Communication (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Communication (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value Communications Schools in Maryland
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communications Schools
For return on investment in communications, no school beat Frostburg State University this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $28,720 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Towson University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Communications graduates carry a median of $20,309 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Stevenson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,042 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,647. That is a strong return on a $27,042 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
[Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
