by our College Data Analytics Team
[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 96 schools to find the best return on investment for media arts students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Communication - New Media
Explore the digital frontier as it relates to today's communications strategies with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Marketing - New Media & Communications
Explore how emerging media impacts the study of culture, relationships and messages with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the media arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Oakland Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for media arts. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $22,959 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $28,508 early in their careers. Set against $22,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #3 place for media arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Purdue University Global, which ranked #5. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $46,125 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $48,015. Set against $46,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
Indiana University South Bend ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $30,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #7 among the best values for media arts. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $23,443. Early-career media arts graduates make about $39,676. That is a strong return on a $23,443 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #9 for value in media arts this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $34,019. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Set against $34,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #10 position for value in media arts this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $26,657. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Chicago landed the #11 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #12 for value in media arts this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $24,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #13 among the best values for media arts. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Michigan University landed the #15 spot for media arts value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,981. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for media arts. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $22,608. Media Arts graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Michigan State University placed #17 among the best values for media arts. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $69,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #18 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $24,987. Media Arts graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $26,398 early in their careers. Set against $24,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $29,405. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for media arts. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $28,719. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Cedarville University came in at #22 for value in media arts this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $33,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Ohio Media School Valley View earned the #23 position for value in media arts this year. Ohio Media School Valley View is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Valley View. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Ohio Media School Valley View earn a median of $18,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern University came in at #24 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $56,833. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Ohio Media School Cincinnati ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the suburb of Norwood, Ohio Media School Cincinnati is a small private for-profit university. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Ohio Media School Cincinnati generally make around $15,006. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s media arts value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
