2026 Best Value Media Arts Schools

1

Cuny City College
New York, NY

For return on investment in media arts, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $36,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $18,419. Media Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #4 place for media arts. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.

5

Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL

Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #6 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $11,180 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $35,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $32,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

8

Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA

Miracosta College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.

9

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #9 among the best values for media arts. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #10 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

11

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #11 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $18,492 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $26,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

12

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #12 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.

14

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #14 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

15

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Orange County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $14,152. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,442. Set against $14,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College came in at #16 for value in media arts this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College earned the #17 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #18 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,202. Media Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $27,148 early in their careers. Set against $21,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

19

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #19 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

20

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #20 position for value in media arts this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $72,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #21 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $15,117. Media Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

22

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #22 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #23 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $21,521 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $41,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

24

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO

Aims Community College landed the #24 spot for media arts value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $45,909. Set against $11,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #25 position for value in media arts this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,946. Early-career media arts graduates make about $30,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.