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

26 Colleges in the United States
$23,370 Avg Student Debt
$61,641 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Badge [Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 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 Pennsylvania

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication & media studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $7,125. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,102. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #3. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Lehigh Carbon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #5 place for communication & media studies. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Montgomery County Community College came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #8 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $29,858 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $29,963. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $24,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

13

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

15

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for communication & media studies. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.

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16
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,924. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $36,127. Set against $26,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

17
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA

Albright College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $31,704. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

18

Pennsylvania State University Brandywine earned the #18 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

19
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $31,994. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

20

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #20 among the best values for communication & media studies. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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21

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

22

Saint Vincent College came in at #22 for value in communication & media studies this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,889. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

23

Washington And Jefferson College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,392. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Washington And Jefferson College generally make around $39,584. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.

24
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $27,061. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

25

Alvernia University earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $53,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication & media studies value ranking:

26
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
27
28
29
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA
30
31
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
32
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
33
34
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
35
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA
36
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

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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 · 84 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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