If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the instructional media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
The University Of West Florida earned the #1 spot for value among instructional media design schools in the United States. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $54,158 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $69,698. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mississippi State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $40,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for instructional media design. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,730. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $46,566. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at University Of New Mexico Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $19,738. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Ashford University placed #6 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $37,758. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $48,441. That is a strong return on a $37,758 median debt.
Explore the best-value instructional media design schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 385 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.