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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among communication & media studies schools in Texas. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $17,100. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $22,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #3 makes South Texas College one of the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amarillo College earned it the #4 place for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $15,720. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $26,748. Set against $11,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Houston Community College placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $20,625. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $46,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #9 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, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $19,829. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $28,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #21 for value in communication & media studies this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $32,990. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $45,743 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #23 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $28,375. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $34,123. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #24 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $43,500. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #25 among the best values for communication & media studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $43,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication & media studies:
[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.
