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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

31 Colleges in the United States
$20,087 Avg Student Debt
$54,768 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 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 the Southwest 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

1

Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for communication sciences in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $64,391. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of the best values for communication sciences. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $53,803. That is a strong return on a $17,463 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $46,398. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for communication sciences. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the communication sciences program here. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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6

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for communication sciences. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

7

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #7 position for value in communication sciences this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $41,181. That is a strong return on a $24,118 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

8
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #8 for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $62,705. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

Northeastern State University landed the #9 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $50,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

10

Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Online landed the #10 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Addison, Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Online is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,520. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $41,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Online admits about 100% of applicants.

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11

Arizona State University came in at #11 for value in communication sciences this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,536. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $64,496. Set against $20,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Houston ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,250. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $47,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

13

The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #13 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of North Texas landed the #14 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,500. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $57,449. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

Northern Arizona University earned the #15 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $20,800. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $50,034. Set against $20,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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16

University Of Arizona ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,127 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $53,760. Set against $18,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

17

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #17 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $49,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

18

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in communication sciences this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,443 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $44,567. That is a strong return on a $20,443 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

19

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #19 spot for communication sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $18,524. Communication Sciences graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $62,600 early in their careers. Set against $18,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

20

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #20 among the best values for communication sciences. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $19,250. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $55,764. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

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21

University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in communication sciences this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $41,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for communication sciences. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $41,843 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

23

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,251 to complete the communication sciences program here. Communication Sciences graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $53,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,251 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

24

Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,106 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $27,000. Communication Sciences graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earn a median of $68,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.

25
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $23,222. Communication Sciences graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in communication sciences:

26
27
28
29
30

Narrow Communication Sciences Schools by State

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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 · 50 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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