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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in New York

49 Colleges in the United States
$20,525 Avg Student Debt
$61,509 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Badge [Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 96 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in New York

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

Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools

1
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,827. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $42,734. That is a strong return on a $15,827 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. 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, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $7,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

4
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,262. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

7

Cuny Lehman College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,623. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $32,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,623 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $8,643 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,437. That is a strong return on a $8,643 median debt.

9
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

10

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $13,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,702. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Monroe Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,750. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $27,123 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,511 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $23,307. Set against $8,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Farmingdale State College earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.

14

Erie Community College came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

15

Onondaga Community College earned the #15 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,833. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $29,915. Set against $11,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Students borrow a median of $10,998 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $17,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Suny Westchester Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $29,256. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

19

Broome Community College earned the #19 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $16,830 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.

20

Suny College At Oswego came in at #20 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,163. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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21
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $41,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

22

Suny College At Brockport placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,200 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

23

Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,150 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,749. That is a strong return on a $25,150 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

24

Suny College At Buffalo placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $26,344 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

25
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

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

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

26
27
28
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
29
30
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
31
32
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
33
34
35
36
37
Houghton College crest
Houghton College
Houghton, NY
38
Five Towns College crest
Five Towns College
Dix Hills, NY
39
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY
40
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY
41
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY
42
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
43
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
44
45
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 96 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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