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Best Value Communication and Media Studies Colleges in New York

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

The CUNY system creates an extraordinary value proposition for Communication and Media Studies students, with Hunter College delivering the lowest net cost at just $2,446 annually while producing graduates earning $33,993. This stark contrast to private options like University of Mount Saint Vincent at $19,920 net cost demonstrates how public education dominates New York's communication program market. The state's media capital status, home to major networks, advertising agencies, and digital publishers, provides unparalleled internship and career opportunities that justify even higher-cost programs. Earnings data reveals significant variation, from Lehman College's $25,658 to City College's $39,663, reflecting how program focus and alumni networks impact career trajectories. New York's TAP grant program further reduces costs for in-state students, making these already affordable CUNY programs even more accessible. The concentration of media employers in Manhattan creates a unique advantage for graduates, as proximity to NBC, CBS, major advertising firms, and emerging digital media companies translates directly into job placement rates and starting salaries that often exceed national averages for communication majors.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $42,581
Net Price Range
$33,772
Avg. Program Earnings
63.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $33,993 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $34,847 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,486 $39,663 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
4 $3,830 $35,518 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
5 $3,482 $25,658 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
6 $5,115 $30,616 $7,490 32.8%
7 $9,173 $36,668 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
8 $9,900 $30,771 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
9 $14,295 $36,437 $8,712 47.9% 82.7%
10 $14,229 $29,866 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
11 $18,322 $34,157 $32,720 70.7% 77.7%
12 $15,844 $29,322 $8,678 56.6% 67.9%
13 $21,344 $39,009 $37,720 62.6% 88.6%
14 $18,021 $32,711 $8,966 72.1% 74.9%
15 $19,920 $35,416 $42,740 57.1% 88.9%
16 $19,951 $35,060 $8,815 68.2% 59.8%
17 $32,337 $55,813 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
18 $20,470 $34,793 $10,782 73.4% 67.7%
19 $16,547 $28,105 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
20 $18,481 $30,409 $8,524 68.9% 58.3%
21 $26,881 $42,961 $50,850 66.0% 82.3%
22 $18,740 $28,960 $38,135 70.2% 89.6%
23 $18,833 $28,960 $8,812 70.2% 72.5%
24 $19,067 $28,236 $8,953 61.6% 74.7%
25 $28,314 $41,565 $65,740 91.3% 11.8%
26 $21,614 $31,042 $27,570 52.3% 84.3%
27 $21,547 $30,305 $38,970 71.0% 78.3%
28 $23,819 $33,382 $37,452 51.0% 78.0%
29 $26,985 $37,568 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
30 $26,870 $35,594 $37,840 71.8% 76.6%
31 $25,842 $33,993 $42,950 53.7% 84.1%
32 $22,701 $29,685 $39,530 55.5% 50.6%
33 $30,561 $39,729 $63,870 79.7% 63.5%
34 $21,869 $28,236 $24,308 55.5% 80.9%
35 $35,035 $45,037 $60,438 88.5% 12.5%
36 $31,046 $39,774 $51,424 61.4% 82.9%
37 $17,980 $22,824 $8,676 40.9% 84.0%
38 $27,951 $35,327 $45,880 57.4% 96.4%
39 $26,187 $32,391 $33,060 56.8% 89.0%
40 $28,150 $33,993 $39,666 74.4% 73.1%
41 $21,148 $24,872 $17,290 64.7% 77.0%
42 $30,521 $35,416 $40,880 72.9% 83.9%
43 $15,770 $17,950 $22,106 48.1% 85.9%
44 $31,955 $33,993 $57,950 73.6% 78.4%
45 $23,736 $25,194 $41,370 65.7% 88.3%
46 $31,057 $32,569 $63,268 72.7% 68.4%
47 $42,581 $44,610 $61,992 80.3% 54.1%
48 $39,660 $41,087 $46,140 79.8% 62.9%
49 $37,037 $36,848 $40,260 49.8% 72.1%
50 $28,348 $27,669 $47,290 68.9% 72.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools such strong values for communication studies?

CUNY schools dominate the top value positions with net costs between $2,446 and $5,115, while private competitors charge $18,000 to $21,000 annually. Hunter College leads with the lowest cost and solid $33,993 graduate earnings. The CUNY system's location advantage puts students directly in New York's media center, providing internship access that translates to career opportunities. Despite low costs, CUNY programs maintain respectable graduation rates, with Hunter at 61% and Queens College at 60.2%.

How do graduate earnings vary across New York communication programs?

Graduate earnings span from $25,658 at Lehman College to $39,663 at City College, a $14,000 difference that reflects program specialization and alumni network strength. St. Thomas Aquinas College produces $39,009 earners despite higher costs, while Farmingdale State delivers $36,668 earnings at just $9,173 net cost. The data shows that location within New York matters, as programs closer to Manhattan media centers often produce higher-earning graduates. Even lower-earning programs like Buffalo State at $29,866 provide solid returns given their modest $14,229 net cost.

Is graduate debt manageable for New York communication students?

Most CUNY programs keep debt remarkably low, with Hunter College graduates averaging just $10,875 in debt and Brooklyn College at $11,260. Private schools show higher debt loads, with Canisius University graduates carrying $22,788 and University of Mount Saint Vincent at $25,411. The debt-to-earnings ratios favor public options significantly, as CUNY graduates typically owe less than one-third of their starting salaries. SUNY programs fall between these extremes, with Potsdam showing $26,000 debt but still maintaining reasonable debt service relative to $36,437 earnings.

Does acceptance rate indicate program competitiveness?

Acceptance rates range from Hunter College's selective 47.86% to SUNY Old Westbury's open 92.10%, reflecting different institutional missions rather than quality differences. More selective programs like Hunter and Brooklyn College (54.54%) maintain strong graduation rates above 56%. Geneseo shows both selectivity at 74.93% acceptance and the highest graduation rate at 72.1%, indicating a competitive program with strong completion rates. Private colleges generally show higher acceptance rates, with St. Thomas Aquinas at 88.61% and Mount Saint Vincent at 88.89%.

Where do graduates find the best career opportunities?

New York City's media concentration provides unmatched access to television networks, advertising agencies, publishing houses, and digital media startups that actively recruit from local programs. CUNY schools benefit from direct subway access to Manhattan employers, while upstate SUNY programs often focus on regional media markets and corporate communications roles. Graduate earnings reflect this geographic advantage, with NYC-area programs generally producing higher starting salaries. The state's TAP grant system helps offset higher living costs, making expensive metropolitan internships more financially feasible for students.

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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.