[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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Washburn University, our #1 best value for communication & media studies in Kansas. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,932. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,967. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $25,159 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $37,095. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,945. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $30,385. Set against $24,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University earned the #7 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $28,106. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
