Best Value Communication and Media Studies Colleges in Maryland

Maryland's public universities dominate the Communication and Media Studies value market, with University of Maryland Global Campus offering the lowest net cost at $14,514 while still delivering $44,595 in median earnings. The state's proximity to Washington D.C. creates unique opportunities for communication majors, with federal agencies, think tanks, and media outlets providing internships and career paths. University of Maryland-College Park stands out with the highest graduate earnings at $46,947 despite its reasonable $15,590 net cost. Private institutions like Loyola University Maryland command premium prices at $29,633 net cost, though graduates earn competitive salaries. The 16 programs show significant variation in outcomes, with graduation rates ranging from 29.60% to 88.60%, reflecting different institutional missions and student populations across the state.

Programs

$14,514 – $29,633

Net Price Range

$39,005

Avg. Program Earnings

60.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, Maryland	$14,514	$44,595	$7,992	29.6%
2	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$46,947	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
3	Towson University Towson, Maryland	$16,791	$40,133	$11,306	67.6%	78.6%
4	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$35,995	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
5	McDaniel College Westminster, Maryland	$20,923	$43,240	$49,647	63.8%	82.1%
6	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$18,328	$34,259	$12,952	70.6%	80.6%
7	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$28,236	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
8	Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland	$24,987	$40,896	$47,240	58.0%	79.6%
9	Hood College Frederick, Maryland	$23,707	$33,993	$45,870	55.3%	77.9%
10	Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, Maryland	$29,633	$41,751	$55,480	80.5%	83.5%
11	Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland	$15,026		$25,200	40.0%	51.4%
12	Goucher College Baltimore, Maryland	$23,774		$51,250	60.0%	80.2%
13	Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland	$15,015		$8,118	41.6%	85.4%
14	Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, Maryland	$24,536		$41,910	51.9%	69.6%
15	Stevenson University Owings Mills, Maryland	$26,806		$39,708	66.4%	84.1%
16	Washington College Chestertown, Maryland	$29,095		$54,356	74.1%	74.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Maryland-College Park such strong value for communication majors?

UMD-College Park combines relatively affordable costs with the highest graduate earnings in the state at $46,947. The $15,590 net cost represents excellent value given the 88.60% graduation rate and proximity to D.C. media markets. The university's location provides direct access to federal communication roles, lobbying firms, and national media headquarters.

How do private college costs compare to earnings potential in Maryland?

Private institutions charge significantly more, with Loyola University Maryland topping the list at $29,633 net cost. However, graduates from these schools often earn competitive salaries, with McDaniel College graduates earning $43,240 despite the higher price tag. The debt levels at private schools average around $25,000 to $27,000, requiring careful consideration of return on investment.

Does geographic location within Maryland affect program value?

Schools closer to the D.C. metro area generally offer better earning potential due to proximity to government agencies and major media companies. University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi and UMBC in Baltimore provide strong value propositions. Frostburg State University, located in western Maryland, shows the lowest graduate earnings at $28,236, reflecting the rural location's limited media job market.

What graduation rate patterns emerge across Maryland communication programs?

Public universities show wide graduation rate variation, from University of Maryland Global Campus at 29.60% to UMD-College Park at 88.60%. Most four-year institutions maintain rates between 50% and 70%, with Towson University and Salisbury University both achieving 67% rates. Private colleges generally perform better, with Loyola University Maryland reaching 80.50% despite its higher selectivity.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.