[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in New Jersey. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,668. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at County College Of Morris earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $15,905. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Union County College earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $7,350 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $21,484. That is a strong return on a $7,350 median debt.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Kean University earn a median of $27,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atlantic Cape Community College earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Montclair State University landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. 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, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,713 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, 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. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
New Jersey City University landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $16,914. Communication & Media Studies graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $13,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,439. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $31,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $28,263 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,966. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,549. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $43,649. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #13 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $34,772. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Rider University placed #14 among the best values for communication & media studies. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $41,864. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $37,151 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Drew University landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $34,305. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University earned the #17 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,422. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $63,871. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $25,742. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
