[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.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value instructional media design schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the instructional media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Northwest Missouri State University, our #1 best value for instructional media design in Missouri. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $49,628. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Park University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Park University generally make around $55,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
