2026 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

For return on investment in communications, no school beat University Of North Florida this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $17,345. 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. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

2

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #2. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.

3

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,481. Early-career communications graduates make about $26,803. Set against $24,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.

4

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga one of the best values for communications. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,831. Communications graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $33,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

5

Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,305. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the communications program here. Median earnings reach $47,195 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #6 spot for communications value this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $28,951. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.

7

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #7 for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $21,460. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

8

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for communications. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the communications program here. 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%.

9

Southeast Arkansas College
Pine Bluff, AR

Southeast Arkansas College placed #9 among the best values for communications. Southeast Arkansas College is a small public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $5,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Students borrow a median of $12,008 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $30,715. That is a strong return on a $12,008 median debt.

10

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University came in at #10 for value in communications this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,625 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $25,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

11

Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College landed the #11 spot for communications value this year. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $35,442. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.

12

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University came in at #12 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $32,078. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

13

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University came in at #13 for value in communications this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University placed #14 among the best values for communications. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,750. Communications graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $35,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

Georgia Military College Milledgeville
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia Military College Milledgeville landed the #15 spot for communications value this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,605. Communications graduates carry a median of $13,587 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $29,788. That is a strong return on a $13,587 median debt.

16

Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College landed the #16 spot for communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.

17

Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY

Pikeville College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,850. Students borrow a median of $22,966 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $57,157. That is a strong return on a $22,966 median debt.

18

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University earned the #18 position for value in communications this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $33,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Spring Hill College
Mobile, AL

Spring Hill College came in at #19 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,500 ten years after entry. Spring Hill College admits about 77% of applicants.

20

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #20 for value in communications this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,825. Early-career communications graduates make about $43,243. That is a strong return on a $22,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

21

University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Huntsville, AL

University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #21 spot for communications value this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $41,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

22

Mississippi College
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College came in at #22 for value in communications this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $36,949. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

23

Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College landed the #23 spot for communications value this year. Toccoa Falls College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Toccoa Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $23,950. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,293. Early-career communications graduates make about $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

24

Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University placed #24 among the best values for communications. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $40,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, GA

Oglethorpe University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,590. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $26,800. Communications graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.