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

59 Ranked Colleges
6,313 Degrees Awarded
$9,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 the Southwest region, there were 6,313 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,423 and $24,273 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 59 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

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

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 100 students in 2019-2020.

CNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $3,626 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Central New Mexico Community College

Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 145 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $3,473 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Rio Grande Valley

#3

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 284 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $11,466 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 University of Arizona Communication & Media Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M University - College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 381 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M College Station is $13,270 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 94%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M College Station

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Tempe. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 473 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $8,921 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Communication & Media Studies Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 304 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $11,109 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio

With a ranking of #7, Texas A&M International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M International University is a public institution located in Laredo, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M International University is $2,298 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Texas A&M International University Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #8, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 272 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $13,575 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, 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 97%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Austin

Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Durant, Oklahoma, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,704 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

#10

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #10, Trinity University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Trinity U is a small school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 40 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity U also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,991 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Trinity University.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Trinity U

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. UT Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 46 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UT Permian Basin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is $10,221 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UT Permian Basin Communication & Media Studies Report

#12

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 147 students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $13,326 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Texas Tech University

#13

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

With a ranking of #13, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it awarded 27 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,554 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU Texas.

Full MSU Texas Communication & Media Studies Report

#14

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 53 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, UH has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston is $9,925 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Houston

#15

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 588 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Skysong is $12,020 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Arizona State University - Skysong

#15

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. ECU is located in Ada, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,259 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ECU.

Full East Central University Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #16, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 25 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,058 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at Tyler.

Full The University of Texas at Tyler Communication & Media Studies Report

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 213 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,292 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas State.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Texas State University

#18

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in San Angelo, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Angelo State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Angelo State University is $11,516 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Angelo State Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #19, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UOPX - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 304 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UOPX - Arizona also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $13,378 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Communication & Media Studies Report

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 266 students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $12,974 for southwest region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Arlington.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas at Arlington

#21

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school handed out 186 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $11,634 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sam Houston State University.

Full Sam Houston State University Communication & Media Studies Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 13 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,962 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OSU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at OSU

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Nacogdoches, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 83 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,816 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SFASU.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stephen F Austin State University

The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UTEP is $7,427 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UTEP Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #25, Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus is a medium-sized school located in Portales, New Mexico that handed out 34 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,219 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ENMU - Main Campus

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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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