[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for instructional media design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the instructional media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Maryland University College, our #1 best value for instructional media design in Maryland. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,276. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $68,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #2 spot this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $65,061. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $78,058. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at University Of Maryland Baltimore County, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
