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

2 Colleges in the United States
$21,191 Avg Student Debt
$46,640 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 14 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 Arizona

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

Best Value Communications Schools

1

Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #1 spot for value among communications schools in Arizona. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the communications program here. Early-career communications graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Estrella Mountain Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $21,752. Communications graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, communications degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.

4

Mesa Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for communications graduates is $13,750. Communications graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Phoenix Arizona earned it the #5 place for communications. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Communications graduates carry a median of $45,000 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $47,919. Set against $45,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Arizona State University came in at #6 for value in communications this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Communications graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career communications graduates make about $56,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

Scottsdale Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communications schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the communications program here. Communications graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Grand Canyon University earned the #8 position for value in communications this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communications graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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