Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for instructional media design in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for instructional media design. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $68,913. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #3 place for instructional media design. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $60,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Purdue University Global, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $68,411 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in instructional media design this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $56,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #7 for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for instructional media design value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $25,836. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $65,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #10 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $68,606 early in their careers. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for instructional media design value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Aurora University landed the #12 spot for instructional media design value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $63,938. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #13 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $25,174. Instructional Media Design graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $55,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best values for instructional media design. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $58,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in instructional media design this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $19,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $57,194. Set against $19,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,177. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $57,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Narrow Instructional Media Design Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
