[Media Arts](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/media-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
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Featured Media Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in media arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in media arts, no school beat Seminole State College Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $16,142. Early-career media arts graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,492 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $26,926. Set against $18,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in media arts will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $11,180. Early-career media arts graduates make about $35,827. Set against $11,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for media arts. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,227. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $21,202 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $27,148. That is a strong return on a $21,202 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $28,041. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #9 position for value in media arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,946. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $30,437. That is a strong return on a $21,946 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position 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. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $15,117. Early-career media arts graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Valencia College placed #11 among the best values for media arts. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #12 for value in media arts this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,521. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $41,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $25,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #14 spot for media arts value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Media Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $37,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $28,350. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,507. Set against $28,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #16 among the best values for media arts. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $28,794. Media Arts graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $21,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #17 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $21,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $21,149. That is a strong return on a $21,881 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in media arts this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $22,937. Early-career media arts graduates make about $39,865. Set against $22,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Immokalee Technical College placed #19 among the best values for media arts. Immokalee Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Immokalee. Early-career media arts graduates make about $40,949.
University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #20 for value in media arts this year. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $27,011 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $42,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,683 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $31,994. That is a strong return on a $27,683 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
William T Mcfatter Technical College landed the #22 spot for media arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from William T Mcfatter Technical College generally make around $28,512. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Pulaski Technical College landed the #23 spot for media arts value this year. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,043 to complete the media arts program here. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Pulaski Technical College generally make around $32,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Southern University earned the #24 position for value in media arts this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $28,000. Media Arts graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $24,934 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Lee University earn a median of $26,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for media arts this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
