[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1403 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Communication & Media Studies School for You
Where you study communication & media studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,827 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $42,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $58,996. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $40,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,892. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $36,367. That is a strong return on a $7,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of San Mateo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hunter College placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Austin Community College District placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #18 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $6,999. Communication & Media Studies graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Cuny Queens College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,875. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:
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 · 1403 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 575 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
