2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,827 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,734. Set against $15,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for communication & media studies. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,120 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $7,892 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

4

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,750. 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.

6

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,918. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, 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.

8

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $33,050. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

10

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #10 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,794. That is a strong return on a $13,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

11

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,953. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,172. That is a strong return on a $13,953 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

13

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,750. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,408. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $39,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

16

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.

17

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $29,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

18

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. 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. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $34,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

19

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $44,638. That is a strong return on a $16,433 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

20

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #20 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $36,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

21

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,100. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

22

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,207. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Set against $13,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

23

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. 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. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $69,670. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

24

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

25

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo came in at #25 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,085. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.