by our College Data Analytics Team
[Radio & Television](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/radio-and-television/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value radio & television schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio & television degrees they offer, see the list below.
Alvin Community College earned the #1 spot for value among radio & television schools in Texas. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $8,600. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for radio & television. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $7,476. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at El Paso Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $8,542. Radio & Television graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $17,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #4 place for radio & television. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $26,951. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lone Star College System earned it the #5 place for radio & television. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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University Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $23,000. Radio & Television graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $24,250 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $26,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sam Houston State University placed #8 among the best values for radio & television. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #9 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $21,858. Radio & Television graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $31,977 early in their careers. Set against $21,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #10 position for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $23,044. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $27,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Southern University earned the #11 position for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,750 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $31,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.