by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for media arts students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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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 Alvin Community College the best value for a degree in media arts in Texas. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in media arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $7,476. Media Arts graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the media arts program here. Early-career media arts graduates make about $26,773. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for media arts. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $21,737 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $21,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
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Texas State University San Marcos earned the #6 position for value in media arts this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $21,858. Media Arts graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $31,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University placed #7 among the best values for media arts. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #8 spot for media arts value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $23,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $27,551. Set against $23,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot for media arts value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the media arts program here. Media Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $31,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among the best values for media arts. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, media arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $41,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University earned the #11 position for value in media arts this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $17,750. Media Arts graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $30,615 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Saint Edwards University came in at #12 for value in media arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,384. Typical student debt for media arts graduates is $24,000. Media Arts graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $36,708 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value media arts schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Media Arts graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career media arts graduates make about $56,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
