2026 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,720. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida International University
Miami, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for communication & media studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $18,000. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,331. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,530. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

6

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #6 for value in communication & media studies this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,258 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $39,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,258 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $17,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $36,842. Set against $17,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,854 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

10

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $38,637. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

11

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #11 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,139. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,508. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

12

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida placed #12 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $30,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

13

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,559. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,555 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,555 median debt.

15

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,656. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $47,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia came in at #16 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,237. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

17

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Holmes Community College landed the #17 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.

18

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College landed the #18 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University landed the #19 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

21

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands landed the #21 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,331. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $27,754 early in their careers. Set against $19,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

22

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University placed #22 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $28,996. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

23

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $33,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

24

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #25 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $38,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.