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

43 Colleges in the United States
$24,281 Avg Student Debt
$62,199 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Badge [Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the New England Region

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

Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools

1

Bristol Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in the New England Region. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $9,482. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $11,893. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Capital Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $12,059. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Massasoit Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,894. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. That is a strong return on a $10,894 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of New Hampshire At Manchester, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,418. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $43,551. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Southern Maine landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,623 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $35,920. That is a strong return on a $22,623 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

7

Worcester State University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $34,235 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

Central Connecticut State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,399. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

9
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College placed #9 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,357. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

Fitchburg State University placed #10 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $30,662 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.

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11

Bridgewater State University landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,848. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $34,146 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Maine earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,057. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $37,192. That is a strong return on a $26,057 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Rhode Island ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $36,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

Westfield State University came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,134 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

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16

Keene State College came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $34,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

Western Connecticut State University landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Students borrow a median of $25,069 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $27,909. Set against $25,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

University Of Connecticut ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $24,068 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,473. Set against $24,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.

19

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #19 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

20

Plymouth State University earned the #20 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $31,293. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.

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21

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $43,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Eastern Connecticut State University placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $32,721. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.

23

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #23 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,380. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

24

Southern Connecticut State University landed the #24 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $29,984 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

25

Nhti Concords Community College earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,046. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $50,550. That is a strong return on a $18,046 median debt.

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:

26
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, CT
27
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA
28
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
29
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, MA
30
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
31
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA
32
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA
33
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA
34
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA
35
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA
36
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
37
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA
38
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA
39
40
41
Mitchell College crest
Mitchell College
New London, CT
42
43
Saint Anselm College crest
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH
44
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT
45
46
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
47
48
49
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
50
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 89 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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