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2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

28 Ranked Colleges
590 Degrees Awarded
$19,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region 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 Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 9th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 68,079 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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.

Across the Southwest region, there were 6,313 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,423 and $24,273 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 590 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 28 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UT Rio Grande Valley

#2

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 4 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Arizona Communication & Media Studies Report

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #3 spot on the list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Arizona State University - Tempe

#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 15 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UTSA

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Tech University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. 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

#3 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Arizona State University - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 119 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Communication & Media Studies Report

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M College Station

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#10 in overall quality

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Houston Communication & Media Studies Report

#8

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

With a ranking of #8, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040.

Full Texas State Communication & Media Studies Report

#9

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

With a ranking of #9, Angelo State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Angelo, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

Angelo State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Angelo State University are $14,396.

Full Angelo State University Communication & Media Studies Report

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Portales, New Mexico, and it awarded 17 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus are $7,110.

Full Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

#18 in overall quality

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SFASU is a fairly large public school situated in Nacogdoches, Texas. It awarded 14 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFASU are $15,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stephen F Austin State University

#23 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UTEP is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UTEP Communication & Media Studies Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 13 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at OSU

#14

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern State University are $10,600, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sam Houston State University is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704.

Full Sam Houston State University Communication & Media Studies Report

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at Arlington

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Arizona University is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 12 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489.

Full NAU Communication & Media Studies Report

#7 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. 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

#19

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas
#21 in overall quality

West Texas A&M University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. West Texas A&M University is a fairly large public school situated in Canyon, Texas. It awarded 10 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

West Texas A&M University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at West Texas A&M University

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#19 in overall quality

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Stephenville, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tarleton, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton State University are $15,485.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Tarleton State University

#21

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 120 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Grand Canyon University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Grand Canyon University Communication & Media Studies Report

#22

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi are $15,683, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M Corpus Christi

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
#1 in overall quality

Texas Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

TCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Christian University are $32,268, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full TCU Communication & Media Studies Report

#24

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas, Texas

Dallas Baptist University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DBU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dallas Baptist University are $20,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at DBU

#25

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#2 in overall quality

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baylor, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Baylor 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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