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Best Value Communication Colleges

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

Communication programs spanning multiple specialties show remarkable cost variation, with net prices ranging from $9,173 at Farmingdale State College to $29,237 at Marquette University. The earnings potential tells an equally compelling story, as graduates from California Lutheran University command $46,478 annually while those from SUNY Polytechnic Institute start at $23,649. Public institutions dominate the value equation, particularly in states like New York where SUNY schools offer strong programs at accessible prices. The communication industry continues expanding across digital platforms, creating demand for graduates who can adapt traditional journalism skills to emerging media formats. Michigan Technological University stands out with 68.70% graduation rates despite its technical focus, while Ohio State University delivers solid outcomes at $18,292 net cost with 87.70% graduation rates. Regional media markets in the Midwest and Northeast provide abundant internship opportunities, with Minneapolis-based companies increasingly seeking multimedia specialists who understand both traditional reporting and digital content creation.
50
Programs
$6,352 – $40,721
Net Price Range
$34,045
Avg. Program Earnings
58.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,173 $36,560 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
2 $12,997 $36,848 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
3 $15,729 $44,384 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
4 $17,139 $43,798 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
5 $14,229 $31,792 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
6 $18,321 $39,369 $40,190 47.3% 77.3%
7 $17,096 $35,274 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
8 $18,292 $35,060 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
9 $13,922 $26,353 $4,432 25.6% 99.7%
10 $14,207 $26,817 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
11 $18,464 $33,138 $14,318 64.5% 80.7%
12 $26,433 $46,478 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
13 $13,882 $23,649 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
14 $21,568 $35,810 $40,416 73.9% 66.3%
15 $29,237 $41,789 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%
16 $20,918 $29,105 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
17 $17,324 $23,538 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
18 $28,921 $38,721 $51,370 71.5% 75.1%
19 $30,525 $40,314 $52,284 75.2% 77.0%
20 $30,465 $38,289 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
21 $27,700 $32,391 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
22 $29,464 $33,987 $28,550 64.5% 69.7%
23 $38,428 $41,565 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
24 $22,881 $24,035 $36,120 51.3% 77.6%
25 $21,461 $20,482 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
26 $29,951 $25,629 $26,610 55.9% 81.0%
27 $30,299 $41,578 31.1% 99.9%
28 $25,884 $50,920 68.4% 90.5%
29 $13,024 $6,360 43.6% 55.2%
30 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
31 $21,728 $33,150 44.3% 63.2%
32 $20,318 $24,820 44.0% 92.0%
33 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
34 $21,296 $36,032 41.9% 54.1%
35 $21,315 $35,080 62.7% 93.8%
36 $11,366 $5,970 35.4% 56.4%
37 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
38 $23,520 $34,740 61.8% 66.9%
39 $35,350 $54,466 64.8% 92.3%
40 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
41 $31,918 $64,644 66.7% 45.3%
42 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
43 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
44 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
45 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
46 $26,536 $41,416 69.4% 69.8%
47 $17,833 $33,157 55.7%
48 $35,049 $14,589 16.7%
49 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
50 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Farmingdale State College such a strong value at $9,173 net cost?

Farmingdale delivers solid career preparation with graduates earning $36,560 annually, well above the program median. The 57.10% graduation rate reflects reasonable completion standards for a highly affordable program. Students benefit from proximity to New York media markets while avoiding the high costs of urban campuses. The low debt burden of $12,882 allows graduates to pursue entry-level positions without financial pressure.

How do public universities compare to private schools in this field?

Public institutions consistently offer better value, with schools like West Virginia University charging $12,997 net cost while delivering $36,848 in graduate earnings. Private schools command premium prices, with California Lutheran at $26,433 net cost, though graduates do earn the highest salaries at $46,478. The gap narrows when considering in-state tuition, where public schools like Ohio State charge just $12,859 for residents. Most students find public programs provide adequate industry preparation at significantly lower cost.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in communication studies?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates, with Ohio State achieving 87.70% graduation rates at $18,292 net cost. However, exceptions exist like Michigan Tech with 68.70% graduation rates despite moderate pricing. The lowest-cost option, Middle Georgia State at $13,922, shows only 25.60% graduation rates, suggesting price and support services connect. Students should balance affordability with institutional support systems that improve completion odds.

Where do communication graduates find the best earning potential?

California Lutheran University graduates command the highest starting salaries at $46,478, reflecting the competitive West Coast media market. Michigan Tech follows closely at $44,384, benefiting from technical communication demand in engineering sectors. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $43,798, capitalizing on the Twin Cities' strong corporate communications market. Even moderate-cost programs like West Virginia University produce graduates earning $36,848, showing geographic mobility in the field.

Is acceptance rate a factor in program quality for communication studies?

Acceptance rates vary widely without clear quality correlation, from Ohio State's selective 52.72% to Middle Georgia State's open 99.71% admission. Marquette University accepts 87.21% of applicants while maintaining 80.10% graduation rates and strong earning outcomes. Many strong programs like Grand Valley State accept 90.37% of students, suggesting communication departments value varied backgrounds over test scores. Students should focus on graduation rates and career outcomes rather than admission 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.