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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

130 Ranked Colleges
14,755 Degrees Awarded
$9,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 130 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The communications school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 668 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,729 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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 95%.

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

2
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 156 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,612 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Wake Forest University Communication & Media Studies Report

3
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 189 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $2,857 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%.

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

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 403 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $5,632 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

5
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Georgia. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 180 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $10,688 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UGA Communication & Media Studies Report

6

Florida International University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 573 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend FIU is $4,882 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Florida International University Communication & Media Studies Report

7

University of Central Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Central Florida is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 470 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $6,256 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCF Communication & Media Studies Report

8
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNF is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 221 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,074 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNF.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNF

9

The University of West Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is a fairly large public school situated in Pensacola, Florida. It awarded 98 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $3,827 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of West Florida

10
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Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FAU is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 210 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend FAU is $8,262 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Florida Atlantic University Communication & Media Studies Report

11
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #11, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emory is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $8,976 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Emory University Communication & Media Studies Report

12
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

With a ranking of #12, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 58 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for NKU is $5,947 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at NKU

13

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 326 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $15,403 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Louisiana State University

14
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 235 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,448 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 94%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at North Carolina State University

15
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

With a ranking of #15, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Kentucky is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 226 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,424 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UK.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

16
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 266 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,003 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Virginia Tech

17
Berea crest
Berea College
Berea, Kentucky

Berea College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Berea, Kentucky, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Berea College is $5,313 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Berea College

18
FGCU crest
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 186 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,969 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FGCU.

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%.

Full Florida Gulf Coast University Communication & Media Studies Report

19
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 82 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $9,940 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Appalachian State University Communication & Media Studies Report

20
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 101 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,250 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend West Virginia University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at West Virginia University

21
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $13,029 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Full ECU Communication & Media Studies Report

22
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arkansas is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 262 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UARK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arkansas is $13,690 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UARK Communication & Media Studies Report

23

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $30-$48k list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $13,226 for southeast region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

24
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 446 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $14,985 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend JMU.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full JMU Communication & Media Studies Report

25

With a ranking of #25, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 195 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,190 for Southeast Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Greensboro.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNC Greensboro

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