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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

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2,972 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 North Carolina, there were 2,972 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,153 and $25,784 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in North Carolina

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 North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 668 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Communication & Media Studies Report

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 North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 156 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wake Forest University has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,228 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Wake Forest University

3
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 345 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

ECU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $16,654 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at East Carolina University

4
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Appalachian State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 82 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $13,769 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 86%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Appalachian State

5
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Carolina State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 235 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $14,424 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NC State.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at NC State

6

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 310 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $16,938 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full UNC Charlotte Communication & Media Studies Report

7

With a ranking of #7, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 195 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UNC Greensboro is $13,214 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UNC Greensboro

8
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Carolina A & T State University is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 169 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC A&T, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC A&T is $12,647 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at NC A&T

9

University of North Carolina at Asheville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,644 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNCA.

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

10
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #10, Fayetteville State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fayetteville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Fayetteville State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville State University is $10,116 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Fayetteville State University

11

University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a fairly large school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 210 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $19,195 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

12

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 51 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Pembroke also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,263 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNC Pembroke.

Full UNC Pembroke Communication & Media Studies Report

13
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cullowhee, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

WCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $14,701 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WCU Communication & Media Studies Report

14
Elon crest
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina

Elon University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Elon is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Elon, North Carolina. It awarded 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Elon also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elon is $29,909 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Elon University

15
Queens crest
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 77 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Queens has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Queens is $24,065 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Queens University of Charlotte

16
Catawba crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Catawba College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Catawba is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Catawba, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Catawba is $17,449 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Catawba

17
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, North Carolina Central University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina Central University is $17,208 for north carolina communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at North Carolina Central University

18
WSSU crest
Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Winston - Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSSU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $15,119 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WSSU.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Winston - Salem State University

19
JCSU crest
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, North Carolina

Johnson C Smith University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JCSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Johnson C Smith University is $18,899 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Johnson C Smith University

20
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaw University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $48-$75k list. Shaw University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Shaw University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Shaw University is $27,220 for North Carolina Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Shaw University

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