[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the media arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Eastern Illinois University the best value for a degree in media arts in Illinois. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,420 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $24,191 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Northwestern University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $56,833 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #5 makes Illinois Media School Chicago Campus one of the best values for media arts. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School Chicago Campus is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $9,500. Media Arts graduates of Illinois Media School Chicago Campus earn a median of $18,740 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Media School placed #6 among the best values for media arts. Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Illinois Media School generally make around $18,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Depaul University earned the #7 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $38,312. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
