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

3 Colleges in the United States
$25,386 Avg Student Debt
$57,887 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communications Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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 Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communications, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Communications Schools

1
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

Leading the list is University Of Mary Washington, our #1 best value for communications in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $22,825. Communications graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. Set against $22,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

2
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marymount University earned it the #2 place for communications. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,880 in student loans. Communications graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $58,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marymount University admits about 93% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Randolph Macon College one of the best values for communications. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,466 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $40,328. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph Macon College admits about 87% of applicants.

4
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $38,068. Communications graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $36,220. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

5
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Liberty University earned it the #5 place for communications. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Communications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $39,116. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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