[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Holmes Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned it the #2 place for communication & media studies. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Mississippi State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,219 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $31,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,219 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes William Carey University one of the best values for communication & media studies. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Set against $25,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $31,624 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Jackson State University earn a median of $24,235 early in their careers. Set against $31,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
View All Communication & Media Studies Rankings >
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
