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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

28 Colleges in the United States
$23,444 Avg Student Debt
$63,461 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Other Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools to find the best return on investment for other communication & media studies students.

What’s on this page:

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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

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for other communication & media studies in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $69,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $30,179. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, 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. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for other communication & media studies. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $14,568. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in other communication & media studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $20,376. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,376 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

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6

Weber State University landed the #6 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $43,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Arizona State University placed #7 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

University Of North Georgia came in at #8 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

9

Montclair State University placed #9 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $24,713 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $28,062. That is a strong return on a $24,713 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for other communication & media studies value 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, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $37,286. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

12

Northeastern Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $15,630 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. 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.

13

University Of West Alabama ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $31,894. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.

14

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

15

Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #15 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.

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16

Morehead State University placed #16 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,857 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $26,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17

New Jersey City University placed #17 among the best values for other communication & media studies. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $16,914. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $13,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

University Of Kentucky earned the #18 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $39,311. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

19

Concordia University Chicago earned the #19 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,956. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $58,760. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

20
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #20 spot for other communication & media studies value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,219 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $31,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.

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21

Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #21 position for value in other communication & media studies this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the other communication & media studies program here. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $32,815 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #22 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, other communication & media studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

23

Wayne State College came in at #23 for value in other communication & media studies this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $25,325. Early-career other communication & media studies graduates make about $46,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for other communication & media studies graduates is $26,543. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,465 early in their careers. Set against $26,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of North Dakota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value other communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Other Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $34,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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

These schools also delivered strong value for other communication & media studies this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
41
42
43
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY
44
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
45
46
Hood College crest
Hood College
Frederick, MD
47
48
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN
49
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
50

Other Other Communication & Media Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Communication & Media Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Other Communication & Media Studies
Associate's Degrees in Other Communication & Media Studies
Master's Degrees in Other Communication & Media Studies
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View All Other Communication & Media Studies Rankings >

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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 · 153 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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