Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Communication & Media Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k)

68 Ranked Colleges
497 Degrees Awarded
$34,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 68,079 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 9th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 497 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 68 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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 Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 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 UPenn are $41,760.

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

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northwestern

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #3 spot on the list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stanford

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Communication & Media Studies Report

#5

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#23 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UF has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UF Communication & Media Studies Report

#6

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#4 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornell is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 5 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #4 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 Cornell University are $30,042.

Full Cornell Communication & Media Studies Report

#7

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW - Madison

#10

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #14 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 Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Full Vanderbilt University Communication & Media Studies Report

#11

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UMCP also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UMCP

#12

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 14 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#22 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 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 UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW Seattle

#14

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#13 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Columbia

#16

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 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 Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Michigan State University

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Florida State

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 10 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Ohio State

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

#20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 2 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UMN Twin Cities

#21

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #21, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 10 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UGA

#22

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Washington State University

#23

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Communication & Media Studies Report

University of California - Davis landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s communications degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Full University of California - Davis Communication & Media Studies Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Communications / Public Relations Schools

Find Schools Near You