by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for communication sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in communication sciences, no school beat Pasadena City College this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $11,306. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $12,500. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $57,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Orange Coast College one of the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $50,476. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
American River College earned the #7 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $14,105. Communication Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best values for communication sciences. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,356 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,356 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno earned the #9 position for value in communication sciences this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,336 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $50,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,336 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. 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.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #12 position for value in communication sciences this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $15,998 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,627. That is a strong return on a $15,998 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,261. Communication Sciences graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $54,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for communication sciences value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $54,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University landed the #16 spot for communication sciences value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #17 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $14,622. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $49,032. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico earned the #18 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $19,222. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $51,265. Set against $19,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Diego State University earned the #19 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $50,428. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific came in at #20 for value in communication sciences this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $93,206 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Redlands earned the #21 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $50,216. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
California Baptist University landed the #22 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $58,776. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Biola University landed the #23 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Biola University earn a median of $70,949 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Southern California ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
West Coast University Orange County earned the #25 position for value in communication sciences this year. West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. In-state tuition and fees average $22,506. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $37,140. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $83,549. Set against $37,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s communication sciences value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.