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2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Far Western US Region

73 Ranked Colleges
15,404 Degrees Awarded
$16,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

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 the Far Western US region, there were 15,404 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,160 and $21,474 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 73 colleges that offered 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $13,623 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Stanford University

2

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 300 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $18,728 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 93%.

Full UC Davis Communication & Media Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 411 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,894 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW Seattle.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, 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 93%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 207 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Cal State LA

5

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 777 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $12,977 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Cal State Fullerton

6

California State University - Long Beach ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 387 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $15,101 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CSULB

7

University of California - Berkeley came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 268 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $21,601 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

8

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UNLV is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 259 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UNLV also took the #22 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $15,316 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNLV

9

California State University - Fresno came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,789 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Fresno State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full Fresno State Communication & Media Studies Report

10

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 271 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $20,906 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UCSD.

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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UCSD

11

California State University - Sacramento ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 492 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Sac State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $16,925 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - Sacramento

12

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 469 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $21,581 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, 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 91%.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Communication & Media Studies Report

13

California State University - Northridge ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 367 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $15,380 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CSUN

14
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 68 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $9,707 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Diego Mesa College

15
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 242 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $18,957 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SDSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full SDSU Communication & Media Studies Report

16

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 166 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,338 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at California State University - San Bernardino

17
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 332 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $21,035 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at San Jose State University

18

California State University - San Marcos landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 231 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $18,439 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full California State University - San Marcos Communication & Media Studies Report

19

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $12,642 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Communication & Media Studies Report

20

University of Nevada - Reno came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school handed out 65 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNR is $17,907 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UNR

21
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #21, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 343 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $20,159 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at SFSU

22

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,441 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Communication & Media Studies Report

23
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #23, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 567 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $32,363 for far western us region communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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

24
Portland State University crest
Portland State University
Portland, Oregon

Portland State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Portland, Oregon, this large public school awarded 113 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Portland State University is $16,102 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

25

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $11,085 for Far Western US Region Communications students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

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