
[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for instructional media design students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among instructional media design schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for instructional media design. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for instructional media design. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Pennsylvania State University World Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for instructional media design. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $63,439. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wilson College placed #6 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,100. Students borrow a median of $34,814 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Wilson College earn a median of $64,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilson College admits about 92% of applicants.
Point Park University earned the #7 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $28,323. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Wilkes University earned the #8 position for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Instructional Media Design 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.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $16,155. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Lehigh University placed #10 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.