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2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

168 Ranked Colleges
10,266 Degrees Awarded
$5,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 10,266 people earned their degree in communication and media studies, making the major the 82nd most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 168 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 446 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Communication & Media Studies Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Madison

3
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 168 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #3 spot on the list. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 189 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $65 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Florida.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UF Communication & Media Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 36 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 456 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

6
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 320 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Michigan State University

7

University of California - Berkeley came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 268 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UC Berkeley

8

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 145 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus

9
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

Hunter College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s media studies degrees to 164 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $396 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hunter.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Hunter College

10
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our media studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UGA has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,303 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UGA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Georgia

11

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 253 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU excels when it comes to media studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $3,196 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full FIU Communication & Media Studies Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 13 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

13

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 262 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,318 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Louisiana State University

14
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. QC is a fairly large school located in Queens, New York that handed out 128 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,344 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend QC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at QC

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 7 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,887 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Communication & Media Studies Report

16

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 92 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,191 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Communication & Media Studies Report

17
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York

With a ranking of #17, Nassau Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nassau Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Garden City, New York. It awarded 18 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Nassau Community College is $2,197 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Nassau Community College Communication & Media Studies Report

18
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #18, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wazzu is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

Wazzu excels when it comes to media studies quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $7,689 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Wazzu

19

With a ranking of #19, Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brigham Young University - Provo is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

BYU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $9,445 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full BYU Communication & Media Studies Report

20

The University of West Florida ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 98 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,288 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Full The University of West Florida Communication & Media Studies Report

21
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $9,991 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Missouri - St Louis

22

University of Colorado Boulder came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 29 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU - Boulder, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Colorado Boulder is $13,141 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CU - Boulder

23

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $8,047 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at SIUE

24

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school handed out 133 diplomas to qualified ’s media studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,991 for Media Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNLV

25

California State University - San Marcos landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 26 ’s media studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $9,397 for media studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUSM

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Media Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26

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