616
Ranked Colleges
66,787
Degrees Awarded
$15,900
Avg Net Price*
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” 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools” ranking, we looked at 616 colleges that offer 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.
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” 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. 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
The colleges and universities below are the best for communications students.
Out of the 616 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 95 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, BYU is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for Communications students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at BYU
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 257 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,038 for Communications students per year to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Phoenix - Arizona
Out of the 616 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. CNM is a fairly large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 87 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,322 for Communications students per year to attend CNM.
Full Central New Mexico Community College Communication & Media Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Skysong. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 712 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, ASU - Skysong is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ASU - Skysong
Out of the 616 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Drake University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 41 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Drake is also in the top of our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It costs about $29,903 for communications students per year to attend Drake.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 86%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Drake University
With a ranking of #6, Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 236 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $6,698 for communications students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full BYU - I Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #7, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,389 for communications students per year to attend University of South Dakota.
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 South Dakota
South Dakota State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 38 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $18,578 for communications students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at South Dakota State
With a ranking of #9, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 116 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,462 for Communications students per year to attend SIUE.
Full SIUE Communication & Media Studies Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 117 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, UW - Whitewater is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,417 for Communications students.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW - Whitewater
University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USF Tampa excels when it comes to communications quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for communications students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, 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 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full USF Tampa Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 345 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $20,585 for Communications students per year to attend Grand Canyon University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Grand Canyon University
Winona State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 77 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $17,634 for Communications students per year to attend Winona State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.
Full Winona State Communication & Media Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 141 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Minnesota State Mankato is in the top on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $17,159 for communications students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
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 Minnesota State Mankato
With a ranking of #15, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 316 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $29,382 for communications students per year to attend Liberty University.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Liberty University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 55 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,051 for Communications students per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
With a ranking of #17, Colorado State University - Global Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools list. Greenwood Village, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State University - Global Campus is $14,954 for communications students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Colorado State University - Global Campus Communication & Media Studies Report
Wayne State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking, coming in at #18. Wayne State College is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $14,141 for communications students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Wayne State College
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 81 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $14,654 for Communications students.
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 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
University of North Dakota ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 104 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $16,966 for communications students.
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 UND
The Graduate Center, CUNY ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. The Graduate Center is located in New York, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.
The Graduate Center also claimed a top spot on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category.
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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The Graduate Center
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools ranking, coming in at #22. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UNI also did well on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,438 for Communications students per year to attend UNI.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Northern Iowa Communication & Media Studies Report
Saint Cloud State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for communications students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at St. Cloud State University
University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 47 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for communications students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 100 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,718 for communications students per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State University - Springfield Communication & Media Studies Report