[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for media arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in media arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #1 spot for value among media arts schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,512, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $27,000. Media Arts graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $23,309 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $22,057 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned it the #5 place for media arts. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University landed the #6 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Point Park University came in at #7 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $17,479. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Wilkes University earned the #8 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $26,601. Media Arts graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $64,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $45,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #10 among the best values for media arts. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $32,256. Early-career media arts graduates make about $64,243. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in media arts this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
