[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for instructional media design students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in instructional media design, no school beat The University Of Texas Pan American this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $58,960. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #2 makes Lone Star College System one of the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $24,321. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Sul Ross State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $18,951. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $44,296. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Lamar University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $26,988. Instructional Media Design graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $64,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #6 for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $62,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #8 position for value in instructional media design this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Houston Baptist University earned the #9 position for value in instructional media design this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University placed #10 among the best values for instructional media design. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $22,333. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #11 spot for instructional media design value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the instructional media design program here. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $65,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
