2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the communication sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in communication sciences in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $15,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $52,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $26,539. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,309 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $33,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $56,964. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,558. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,075 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $41,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $64,115. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #9 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $53,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #10 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,699 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $54,267. That is a strong return on a $22,699 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #11 position for value in communication sciences this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,588. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $58,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University earned the #12 position for value in communication sciences this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $54,058. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #13 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $24,184 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $47,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Virginia University landed the #14 spot for communication sciences value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $23,920. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,932. That is a strong return on a $23,920 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $51,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #16 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Students borrow a median of $18,252 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $53,725. That is a strong return on a $18,252 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #17 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,790 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $48,104 early in their careers. Set against $19,790 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $56,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #19 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $21,287. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $39,097. Set against $21,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $36,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Valdosta State University came in at #21 for value in communication sciences this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $53,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #22 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,011 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $43,575. Set against $18,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Mississippi University For Women ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $59,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #25 spot for communication sciences value this year. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $24,542. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $38,280. Set against $24,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication sciences:
Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State
More Communication Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
