[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) 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 410 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication sciences schools.
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Finding the Best Value Communication Sciences School for You
Where you study communication sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Communication Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Communication Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Pasadena City College tops our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools in the United States. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $53,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,000. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $50,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,544. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $55,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,000. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $52,727 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #7 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $67,285. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Orange Coast College landed the #8 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College came in at #9 for value in communication sciences this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $57,269. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Northridge earned the #11 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,356 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #12 for value in communication sciences this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,186. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cerritos College landed the #13 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,306. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Texas A And M International University landed the #14 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,336 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $50,826. That is a strong return on a $17,336 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online landed the #16 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $26,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #17 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $50,682. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #18 among the best values for communication sciences. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $33,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
American River College earned the #19 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #20 for value in communication sciences this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $64,391. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for communication sciences value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,208 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $53,662. Set against $22,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Texas Womans University landed the #22 spot for communication sciences value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,463 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $53,803. Set against $17,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
California State University San Marcos came in at #24 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,998. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $48,627. That is a strong return on a $15,998 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay placed #25 among the best values for communication sciences. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,261 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $54,848. That is a strong return on a $18,261 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication sciences value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 410 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 297 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).
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
