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2026 Best Value Health Communication Schools in California

[Health Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/health-communication/) 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 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health communication students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Health Communication Schools in California

2026 Best Value Health Communication Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health communication, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Health Communication Schools

1

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

$8,728 In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,038 Avg Student Debt

$64,909 Median Earnings (10yr)

San Diego State University earned the #1 spot for value among health communication schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health communication graduates is $17,038. Health Communication graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $44,197 early in their careers. Set against $17,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

2

Chapman University
Orange, CA

$64,984 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,625 Avg Student Debt

$70,070 Median Earnings (10yr)

Chapman University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health communication schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the health communication program here. Health Communication graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $40,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.