2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in Tennessee
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value communication sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in Tennessee
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
Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among communication sciences schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $51,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $18,011 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,011 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $66,122 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Peay State University earned it the #4 place for communication sciences. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $44,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $62,775. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #6 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $23,382. Communication Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $60,970. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
