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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

130 Ranked Colleges
14,755 Degrees Awarded
$7,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 66,787 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 14,755 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,329 and $27,106 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 130 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

1

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #1 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 668 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 95%.

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

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 189 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also took the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $65 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Florida

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #3 spot on the list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 156 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, 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.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Wake Forest University

4

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 403 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,176 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USF Tampa.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 USF Tampa

5
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 180 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,303 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Georgia.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UGA

6

Florida International University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 573 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FIU is $3,196 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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

7

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 326 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $11,318 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

8

University of Central Florida ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 470 students in 2020-2021.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,468 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UCF

9
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 221 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNF is $4,367 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNF

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 266 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $11,934 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Virginia Tech

11
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, this fairly large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $4,632 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northern Kentucky University

12
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 235 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,283 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at NC State

13
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida Atlantic University is $6,726 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Florida Atlantic University

14

The University of West Florida came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of West Florida is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 98 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UWF

15
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 82 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,354 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Appalachian State University

16
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

With a ranking of #16, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kentucky is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 226 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UK has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $12,593 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

17

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 186 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Knoxville, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,433 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Knoxville

18
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 446 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

JMU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $14,288 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at James Madison University

19
FGCU crest
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is a fairly large school located in Fort Myers, Florida that handed out 186 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FGCU is $6,762 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at FGCU

20
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UARK is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 262 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arkansas is $12,003 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UARK Communication & Media Studies Report

21
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #21, East Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ECU is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $11,260 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full ECU Communication & Media Studies Report

22
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,014 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WVU.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at West Virginia University

23

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 195 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNC Greensboro is $7,645 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

24
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $8,538 for southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Emory University Communication & Media Studies Report

25

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 310 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,751 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Communication & Media Studies Report

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