Best Value Communication and Media Studies Colleges in Washington

The University of Washington system dominates value rankings for Communication and Media Studies in Washington, with all three campuses offering graduates the state's highest median earnings at $39,257 annually. UW-Tacoma leads affordability at just $10,017 net cost, while the Seattle campus maintains an 83.70% graduation rate despite competitive 47.52% admissions. Washington's tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft create strong demand for communication professionals, particularly in digital marketing, corporate communications, and user experience research. The 19 programs span from $10,017 to $38,920 in net costs, yet earnings remain relatively consistent across institutions, ranging from $33,007 to $39,257. Public universities clearly provide the strongest value proposition, with six of the top seven spots going to state schools that benefit from the Washington College Grant program covering full tuition for qualifying residents.

Programs

$10,017 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$36,214

Avg. Program Earnings

63.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$39,257	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$39,257	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
3	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$39,257	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
4	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$38,548	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
5	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$33,007	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
6	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$33,637	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
7	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$35,142	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
8	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$34,420	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
9	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,289	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
10	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$34,704	$33,027	64.2%
11	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$35,060	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
12	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$33,993	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
13	Great Northern University Spokane, Washington	$31,680		$17,700		85.7%
14	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884		$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
15	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506		$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
16	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618		$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
17	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161		$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
18	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371		$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
19	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049		$14,589	16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington campuses such strong values for Communication and Media Studies?

All three UW campuses offer identical median earnings of $39,257, the highest in the state, while maintaining relatively low net costs between $10,017 and $13,485. The system's connection to Washington's tech industry provides internship and job placement advantages. UW-Seattle's 83.70% graduation rate significantly outpaces most competitors, while UW-Tacoma's $10,017 net cost represents strong affordability.

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

Private colleges charge net costs ranging from $21,370 to $38,920, yet their graduates earn similar or lower salaries than public university alumni. University of Puget Sound costs $38,920 annually but produces median earnings of just $33,993. Seattle Pacific University charges $24,820 and offers $38,289 in median earnings, making it the most competitive private option for return on investment.

Does location within Washington affect job prospects for communication graduates?

Seattle area schools benefit from proximity to major employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing, which regularly hire communication professionals for marketing, internal communications, and public relations roles. However, graduates from all Washington programs earn between $33,007 and $39,257 regardless of location. The state's strong economy and tech sector presence create opportunities statewide for communication and media professionals.

What graduation rates should students expect from Washington communication programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly, from Eastern Washington's 47.20% to UW-Seattle's 83.70%. Private colleges generally perform better, with Whitman College at 81.00% and Seattle University at 73.30%. However, higher graduation rates don't always correlate with better earnings, as Eastern Washington graduates earn $33,007 despite the lower completion rate.

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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.