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2026 Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools

40 Colleges in the United States
$22,915 Avg Student Debt
$62,675 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Badge [Other Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/other-communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 153 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other communication & media studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies School for You

Where you study other communication & media studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

Learn more about our methodology

Customizing Your List

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Other Communication & Media Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Other Communication & Media Studies
Master's Degrees in Other Communication & Media Studies
Doctorate Degrees in Other Communication & Media Studies

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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2026 Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $69,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $30,179. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $34,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $14,568. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $14,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

5

County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $9,000. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $15,905. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

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6

Weber State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $55,569. Set against $16,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $20,376. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $50,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

8

Raritan Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $38,237 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

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11

Montclair State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,713 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $42,803. That is a strong return on a $24,713 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #12 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

13

Old Dominion University placed #13 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,001. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #14 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $37,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

15

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $32,538. That is a strong return on a $15,630 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Prince Georges Community College earned the #16 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.

17

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.

18

University Of West Alabama earned the #18 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $31,894. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

19

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $25,347. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

20

Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies 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%.

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21

Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #21 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $41,461. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

22

Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $26,803. Set against $24,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

23

New Jersey City University landed the #23 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,914 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $13,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,914 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Kentucky came in at #24 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $23,875. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $39,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

25

Concordia University Chicago ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,956. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $58,760. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other communication & media studies value ranking:

26
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
27
28
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
42
43
44
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
45
46
47
48
49
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
50

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Other Communication & Media Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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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 · 153 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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