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Best Value Communication and Media Studies Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania's Communication and Media Studies programs show dramatic cost variation, with net prices spanning from $12,251 at Holy Family University to $31,229 at University of Pennsylvania. The state's media market includes major employers like Comcast, creating strong career pipelines for graduates who understand both traditional broadcasting and digital content strategies. Public universities deliver particularly strong value, with East Stroudsburg University combining a $15,089 net price with $34,467 median earnings. Pennsylvania's 15 featured programs serve different student goals, from Holy Family's accessible entry point to Penn's elite networking opportunities that justify higher costs with $54,581 graduate earnings. The state's mix of urban media markets in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, plus growing healthcare communications needs at UPMC, creates varied internship and career paths for communication majors.
50
Programs
$12,251 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$32,292
Avg. Program Earnings
64.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,089 $34,467 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
2 $21,664 $38,829 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
3 $31,229 $54,581 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
4 $17,216 $30,047 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
5 $19,258 $33,281 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
6 $20,231 $33,993 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
7 $19,524 $31,021 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
8 $20,800 $32,711 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
9 $12,251 $18,771 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
10 $26,539 $39,927 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
11 $21,972 $32,174 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
12 $26,198 $38,289 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
13 $28,163 $40,461 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
14 $21,043 $30,228 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
15 $23,331 $32,569 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
16 $21,900 $29,956 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
17 $22,746 $30,771 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
18 $28,329 $38,289 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
19 $21,409 $26,625 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
20 $27,686 $33,993 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
21 $30,074 $36,094 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
22 $23,281 $27,584 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
23 $30,528 $35,864 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
24 $22,558 $25,967 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
25 $30,314 $34,298 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
26 $30,485 $33,993 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
27 $27,263 $30,228 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
28 $24,829 $27,439 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
29 $25,544 $28,055 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
30 $35,487 $38,906 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
31 $24,051 $26,353 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
32 $25,885 $27,126 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
33 $25,157 $26,353 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
34 $27,700 $28,960 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
35 $29,219 $30,167 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
36 $28,714 $29,202 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
37 $44,876 $45,109 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
38 $27,663 $26,739 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
39 $29,944 $28,598 $39,410 56.1% 98.2%
40 $34,978 $32,382 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
41 $25,866 $23,579 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
42 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
43 $30,465 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
44 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
45 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
46 $21,873 $32,400 54.2% 65.2%
47 $27,141 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
48 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
49 $20,822 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%
50 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Pennsylvania worth its $31,229 net cost for communication majors?

Penn delivers the highest graduate earnings at $54,581 annually, nearly triple what some other programs produce. The 96.8% graduation rate and extensive alumni network in major media markets justify the investment. Penn's Ivy League status opens doors at top media companies and consulting firms that actively recruit from campus.

How do Pennsylvania's public universities compare for communication studies value?

Public options like East Stroudsburg ($15,089 net) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania ($17,216 net) offer solid returns with graduates earning $30,000-$34,000 annually. These schools maintain acceptance rates above 90%, making them accessible choices. Slippery Rock stands out with a 65.9% graduation rate, matching some private colleges at half the cost.

Is Holy Family University's $12,251 net price sustainable given the lower earnings?

Holy Family's $18,771 graduate earnings reflect entry-level positions, but the minimal debt load keeps monthly payments manageable. The 60.4% graduation rate suggests adequate support systems despite budget constraints. Students often use this as a stepping stone program before transferring or pursuing graduate school.

What role does Pennsylvania's media industry play in graduate job placement?

Comcast's Philadelphia headquarters creates numerous internship and entry-level opportunities for communication students statewide. UPMC's healthcare communications division also hires extensively, explaining why programs near Pittsburgh show competitive earnings. The state's pharmaceutical companies require skilled corporate communications professionals, expanding career options beyond traditional media.

Does private college attendance guarantee better outcomes in communication studies?

Private schools show mixed results, with Susquehanna achieving 74.1% graduation rates and $39,927 earnings versus others producing similar outcomes to public universities. Elizabethtown College justifies its $26,198 cost with strong 77.1% graduation rates. However, several private options underperform public universities when comparing cost to career outcomes.

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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.