2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 59 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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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 the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region
Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 100 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, CNM has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,676 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CNM.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Central New Mexico Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 145 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UT Rio Grande Valley has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $6,405 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.
Full UT Rio Grande Valley Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 272 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
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. It costs about $15,757 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Austin.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full The University of Texas at Austin Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M International University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 36 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,809 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Texas A&M International University.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Texas A&M International University
Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 284 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
University of Arizona also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $15,399 for southwest region 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%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Arizona
With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 304 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
UTSA also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $13,827 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 381 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $18,810 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Texas A&M College Station.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Texas A&M University - College Station Communication & Media Studies Report
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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Permian Basin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 $10,417 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
With a ranking of #9, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 473 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $14,033 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Arizona State University - Tempe Communication & Media Studies Report
MSU Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend MSU Texas is $10,068 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at MSU Texas
With a ranking of #11, Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Durant, Oklahoma. It awarded 12 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $9,796 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Trinity University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 40 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Trinity U also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $18,012 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Trinity University.
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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 Trinity University
University of Houston ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k 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 $12,505 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Texas State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.
Texas State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State is $14,250 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Texas State University Communication & Media Studies Report
The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 266 degrees to qualified ’s communications 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. The yearly cost to attend UT Arlington is $14,622 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full The University of Texas at Arlington Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UOPX - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 304 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
UOPX - Arizona also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $14,939 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas Tech is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $17,421 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
East Central University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Ada, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $13,316 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ECU.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at East Central University
With a ranking of #18, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 588 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Skysong is $15,891 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Arizona State University - Skysong
Angelo State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Angelo State is a fairly large public school situated in San Angelo, Texas. It awarded 31 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
Angelo State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Angelo State is $14,876 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Angelo State University
Sam Houston State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 186 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 $14,832 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SHSU.
Full Sam Houston State University Communication & Media Studies Report
The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 18 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $10,786 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 83 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $13,644 for southwest region communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Stephen F Austin State University.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Stephen F Austin State University
The University of Texas at Tyler came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Tyler, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $10,037 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of Texas at Tyler.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UT Tyler
With a ranking of #24, Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Portales, New Mexico is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $11,117 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus
With a ranking of #25, University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 46 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.
UH Clear Lake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,886 for Southwest Region Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UH Clear Lake
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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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