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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in North Carolina

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,567 Avg Student Debt
$53,295 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Badge [Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for communication sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Communication Sciences Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for communication sciences in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $54,267. Set against $22,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #2. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $39,097. That is a strong return on a $21,287 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $64,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4

Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at North Carolina Central University, which ranked #4. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $57,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

Appalachian State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $33,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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6

East Carolina University earned the #6 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,250. Communication Sciences graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $69,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

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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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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