47
Ranked Colleges
13,181
Degrees Awarded
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
With 66,787 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. 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 California, there were 13,181 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,861 and $20,384 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 47 colleges that offered 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 55 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $7,081 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 268 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $13,423 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 UC Berkeley
Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 300 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $14,193 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 UC Davis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 207 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,700 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cal State LA.
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 California State University - Los Angeles Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 469 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $14,583 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara
California State University - Fullerton came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 777 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $9,017 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #7, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 271 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,310 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad 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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UCSD
With a ranking of #8, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 567 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $22,826 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USC
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 387 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $11,189 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full CSULB Communication & Media Studies Report
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 102 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $8,030 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California State University - Fresno Communication & Media Studies Report
California State University - Sacramento landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 492 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $12,602 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Sac State
California State University - Northridge came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 367 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,780 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUN
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 166 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,854 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUSB.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full California State University - San Bernardino Communication & Media Studies Report
San Diego State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 242 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $14,698 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Diego State University
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $7,976 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stan State
San Jose State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 332 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, San Jose State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,338 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Jose State University.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State University
California State University - San Marcos landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 231 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSM also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $14,309 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUSM
With a ranking of #18, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,272 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.
Full San Diego Mesa College Communication & Media Studies Report
California State University - Bakersfield landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 109 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $9,102 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Bakersfield
San Francisco State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 343 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, SFSU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,065 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
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%.
Full SFSU Communication & Media Studies Report
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 25 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,333 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 CSUDH
California State University - Channel Islands came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUCI is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 146 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUCI also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $16,151 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUCI.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Channel Islands
With a ranking of #23, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 152 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cal State East Bay
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $16,738 for california communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Chico State Communication & Media Studies Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 199 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,958 for California Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Cal Poly Pomona
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