2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
With 68,079 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, communication and media studies is the 9th most popular major in the United States. 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 Far Western US region, there were 15,759 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,204 and $21,798 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 671 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.
Stanford also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Stanford
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 3 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Communication & Media Studies Report
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 16 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Cal State LA also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Cal State Fullerton Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 58 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Wazzu also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.
California State University - Fresno landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Fresno State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full California State University - Fresno Communication & Media Studies Report
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.
San Diego State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California 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.
SDSU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.
California State University - Northridge ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 23 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Northridge
University of Southern California ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 289 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.
With a ranking of #11, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.
CSULB also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of California - San Diego landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. 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 UCSD, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of California - Davis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 1 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Davis
University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. UNLV is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UNLV also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - San Bernardino
Eastern Washington University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Cheney, Washington. It awarded 14 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
EWU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at EWU are $28,921, but some majors have different tuition rates.
California State University - Sacramento landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Sac State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.
University of Nevada - Reno ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNR has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 17 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State University
California State University - East Bay ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Cal State East Bay also took the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - East Bay
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UH Manoa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UAF are $24,287, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Alaska Fairbanks
California State University - Chico came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Chico State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Chico
Portland State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 7 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 Portland State University are $23,784.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Portland State 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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland.
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