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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k)

21 Ranked Colleges
141 Degrees Awarded
$29,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

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 a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 10,951 people earned their degree in communication and media studies, making the major the 74th most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 141 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 21 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k)

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UF also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UF Communication & Media Studies Report

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s media studies degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #3 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

#4

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 6 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

#5

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#9 in overall quality

University of Georgia landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 7 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UGA

#7

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Texas Tech University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 10 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Texas Tech University

#8 in overall quality

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CU - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

CU - Boulder also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CU - Boulder are $32,980, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CU - Boulder

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#15 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s media studies degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s media studies degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#12

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

University of Oregon came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UO is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

UO also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991.

Full UO Communication & Media Studies Report

#13

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#19 in overall quality

University of Memphis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofM, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofM are $14,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Memphis

#16 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#15

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#20 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UofSC is a large school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 2 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UofSC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of South Carolina - Columbia

#16

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Syracuse University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

Syracuse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Syracuse are $41,714, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Syracuse University Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

American University

Washington, District of Columbia
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, American University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. The American University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 5 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The American University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The American University are $35,524.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The American University

#12 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. OHIO Athens is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 10 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at OHIO Athens

#19

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#11 in overall quality

The University of Alabama ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s media studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree media studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UA has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Alabama are $30,940, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Alabama

#20

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#18 in overall quality

Temple University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 6 doctorate’s media studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Temple

#21

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

Drexel University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Media Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s media studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drexel, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Drexel University are $37,074.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Drexel University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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