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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina

2 Colleges in the United States
$23,048 Avg Student Debt
$65,698 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communications Badge [Communications](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for communications students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina

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

1

For return on investment in communications, no school beat Appalachian State University this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

A rank of #2 makes Davidson College one of the best values for communications. 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. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $19,906. Early-career communications graduates make about $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.

3
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $54,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

4
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Communications graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $42,055 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.

5

Students looking for strong value in communications will find it at Queens University Of Charlotte, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Communications graduates of Queens University Of Charlotte earn a median of $42,489 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

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6
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the communications program here. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

7

Elon University landed the #7 spot for communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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