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2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

20 Ranked Colleges
549 Degrees Awarded
$24,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

Across California, there were 13,425 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,239 and $21,690 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 549 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 28 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 16 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 38 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cal State Fullerton

#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 9 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fresno State Communication & Media Studies Report

#5

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 2 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCSB

#6

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at San Diego State University

California State University - Northridge came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUN

#8

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 289 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USC

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full CSULB Communication & Media Studies Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s communications degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - San Diego Communication & Media Studies Report

#4 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 1 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UC Davis

#12

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#21 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. CSUSB 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.

CSUSB also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUSB

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sac State Communication & Media Studies Report

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified masters’s communications students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State East Bay Communication & Media Studies Report

#16

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 8 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Full SFSU Communication & Media Studies Report

California State University - Chico came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 5 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Full California State University - Chico Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

California Baptist University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Baptist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California Baptist University

#19

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#7 in overall quality

Pepperdine University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pepperdine is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Malibu, California. It awarded 1 masters’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pepperdine, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine University are $36,320, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Pepperdine University Communication & Media Studies Report

#20

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#5 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, 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 24 students in 2019-2020.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USFCA Communication & Media Studies Report

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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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