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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communications (With Aid)

160 Ranked Colleges
12,001 Degrees Awarded
$11,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Communications is the 67th most popular major in the country with 12,001 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 160 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communications. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communications programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communications program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communications Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Communication Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communications (With Aid)

1
CNM crest
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid. CNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s communication arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CNM is also in the top of our “Best Communications Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communications Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend CNM is $3,322 for communication arts students with aid.

Full CNM Communications Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 291 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Communications Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $14,321 for communication arts students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Full UIUC Communications Report

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication arts degrees to 149 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our communication arts students with aid list, Purdue has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Communications Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for communication arts students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Purdue Communications Report

4
Baruch crest
Baruch College
New York, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Baruch College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 64 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Baruch College is $2,264 for communication arts students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Baruch College Communications Report

5

Out of the 160 schools in the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 300 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communications Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for communication arts students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Davis Communications Report

6

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 12 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,743 for communication arts students with aid per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communications at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

7
CCNY crest
The City College of New York
New York, New York

The City College of New York came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. The City College of New York is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s communication arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CCNY is $2,805 for Communication Arts students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communications at CCNY

8
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #8, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication arts degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,232 for Communication Arts students with aid per year to attend UMSL.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Communications Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 271 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communications Schools” list. It costs about $15,240 for Communication Arts students with aid per year to attend UCSD.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communications at University of California - San Diego

10

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 469 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communications Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $16,252 for Communication Arts students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 91%.

Read more about Communications at University of California - Santa Barbara

11
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 201 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $8,865 for Communication Arts students with aid.

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%.

Full University of North Florida Communications Report

12

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 117 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communications Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for Communication Arts students with aid.

Full UW - Whitewater Communications Report

13

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 471 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communications Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $18,919 for communication arts students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Communications at Texas A&M University - College Station

14

With a ranking of #14, Texas A&M International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 41 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M International University is $3,908 for communication arts students with aid.

Full Texas A&M International University Communications Report

15

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 257 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - Arizona, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communications Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UOPX - Arizona is $13,038 for communication arts students with aid.

Read more about Communications at University of Phoenix - Arizona

16

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 126 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UIC is in the top on our “Best Communications Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communications Schools” list. It costs about $13,214 for Communication Arts students with aid per year to attend UIC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communications at UIC

17
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, Maryland

Towson University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Towson University is a large school located in Towson, Maryland that handed out 152 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Towson also made our “Best Communications Schools” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Towson University is $18,105 for communication arts students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Towson University Communications Report

18
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 ’s communication arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $13,449 for Communication Arts students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Communications at Oakland University

19
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for communication arts students with aid.

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 Communications at Saint Cloud State University

20

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s communication arts students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communications Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communications Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for Communication Arts students with aid.

Read more about Communications at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

21
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,721 for communication arts students with aid per year to attend University of Houston.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communications at UH

22

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 325 ’s communication arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,549 for Communication Arts students with aid per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio Communications Report

23

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s communication arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,346 for Communication Arts students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Read full report on Communications at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

24

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $12,925 for communication arts students with aid.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Communications Report

25

University of Wisconsin - Parkside ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communication Arts Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication arts degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,082 for Communication Arts students with aid per year to attend UW - Parkside.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Parkside Communications Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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