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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in California

50 Ranked Colleges
7,560 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor's in California For Those Making $75-$110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 68,079 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, communication and media studies is the 9th most popular major in the United States. 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 California, there were 13,425 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,239 and $21,690 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 7,560 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 50 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.

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.

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 for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k”.

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 for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $10,631 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Stanford University Communication & Media Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 730 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $12,916 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, 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 students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Fullerton

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 210 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $9,576 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cal State LA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 284 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $21,401 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 96%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of California - Berkeley

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 323 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,622 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Davis.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UC Davis

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 365 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,544 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSULB.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Long Beach

#7

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 517 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $22,226 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCSB

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 64 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $10,904 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 - Dominguez Hills Communication & Media Studies Report

California State University - Fresno ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,819 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Full California State University - Fresno Communication & Media Studies Report

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 76 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,381 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Stan State Communication & Media Studies Report

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 369 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $15,346 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Northridge

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 98 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,743 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSUB

California State University - Sacramento ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 531 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $15,812 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Sac State

University of California - San Diego came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 239 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCSD has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $20,205 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego Communication & Media Studies Report

#15

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 206 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $13,611 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 California State University - San Bernardino

#16

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 190 students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $18,766 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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%.

Full San Diego State University Communication & Media Studies Report

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 152 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,944 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Cal Poly Pomona

California State University - San Marcos ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 278 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $18,620 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 California State University - San Marcos

#19

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 273 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $19,805 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 406 bachelors’s communications degrees to qualified students.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $21,027 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Francisco State University

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s communications degrees to 160 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,710 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

Full Cal State East Bay Communication & Media Studies Report

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $22,585 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#23

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California

University of Phoenix - California came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Costa Mesa, California, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Full UOPX - California Communication & Media Studies Report

California State University - Channel Islands landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Channel Islands is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 122 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUCI also took the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $18,919 for california bachelor’s degree communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Channel Islands.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUCI Communication & Media Studies Report

#25

Simpson University

Redding, California

Simpson University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redding, California. It awarded 8 bachelors’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Simpson University is $18,994 for California Bachelor’s Degree Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Simpson U

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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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