2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Tennessee

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
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 Tennessee, there were 1,049 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,090 and $26,922 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 17 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.
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.
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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 Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Tennessee
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $6,017 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Vanderbilt University
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 113 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Chattanooga is $10,515 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Chattanooga
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 182 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $10,637 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Middle Tennessee State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 163 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $13,745 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national 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.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tennessee State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Tennessee State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $11,711 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Tennessee State University.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Johnson City, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 118 students in 2019-2020.
ETSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for ETSU is $12,703 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at East Tennessee State University
University of Memphis landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofM, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Memphis is $12,264 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full University of Memphis Communication & Media Studies Report
The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Martin, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
UT Martin also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Martin is $9,855 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Tennessee - Martin
Lee University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lee University is a medium-sized school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 24 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Lee University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $15,543 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lee University
Austin Peay State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Clarksville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 114 students in 2019-2020.
Austin Peay State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $12,298 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.
Full Austin Peay State University Communication & Media Studies Report
Johnson University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Johnson University is a small school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 7 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Johnson University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Johnson University is $16,404 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Johnson University
Carson - Newman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Jefferson City, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Carson - Newman has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carson - Newman is $14,044 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Carson - Newman University Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #13, Belmont University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Belmont University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
Belmont also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $26,275 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Belmont University.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Belmont University
King University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bristol, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at King, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for King University is $20,648 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
Lipscomb University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lipscomb University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Lipscomb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb University is $20,503 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full Lipscomb University Communication & Media Studies Report
Milligan University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Milligan is a small school located in Milligan College, Tennessee that handed out 7 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Milligan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Milligan is $15,411 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low 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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Milligan
With a ranking of #17, Union University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Union is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Union also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $27,004 for tennessee communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Union.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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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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