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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 Southwest Region

53 Colleges in the United States
$21,678 Avg Student Debt
$52,406 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 137 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication & media studies students.

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

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

Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in communication & media studies in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $22,430. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

A rank of #5 makes Amarillo College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Tulsa Community College earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,789. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #7 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.

8

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,748 early in their careers. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,054. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,109. That is a strong return on a $20,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

Houston Community College came in at #10 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,223. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

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New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

12

University Of Houston Victoria came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

13

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $22,852 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $46,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

14
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #15 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,829. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $28,566. That is a strong return on a $19,829 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #16 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,923 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,858. Set against $22,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

17

Tyler Junior College placed #17 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,819. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $23,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

19

East Central University placed #19 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,571 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $24,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

20

Northeastern State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $34,703. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #21 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.

22
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #22 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,669. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $32,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

23

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #23 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Arizona State University came in at #24 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $22,500. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $56,309. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University earned the #25 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $25,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% 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
29
30
31
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
49
50

Narrow Communication & Media Studies Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 137 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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