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Cheapest Communication and Media Studies Colleges in Texas

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Texas A & M International University offers Communication and Media Studies graduates a pathway to affordable education with a net cost of just $3,061, though earnings average $22,923 annually. This creates a stark contrast with The University of Texas Permian Basin, where the $9,144 net cost leads to significantly higher earnings of $52,107. The state's communication market benefits from major media markets in Dallas, Houston, and Austin, plus the growing digital media sector that serves the nation's second-largest state economy. Public institutions dominate the affordable options, with 13 of the top 15 schools charging net costs under $12,000. Texas Southmost College stands out with the lowest published tuition at $3,148 for in-state students, while graduation rates vary widely from 20% at Wiley University to over 50% at several state schools. The earnings gap of nearly $30,000 between the lowest and highest-earning programs reflects the varied career paths available in Texas media markets.
50
Programs
$3,061 – $23,636
Net Price Range
$31,885
Avg. Program Earnings
46.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
2 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
3 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
5 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
6 $10,095 $12,500 20.0%
7 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
8 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
9 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
10 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
11 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
12 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
13 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
14 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
15 $12,714 $14,520 99.2%
16 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
17 $13,220 $9,548 29.4% 96.1%
18 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
19 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
20 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
21 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
22 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
23 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
24 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
25 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
26 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
27 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
28 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
29 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
30 $19,655 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%
31 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
32 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
33 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
34 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
35 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
36 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
37 $20,244 $13,498 38.1% 57.3%
38 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
39 $20,410 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
40 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
41 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
42 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
43 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
44 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
45 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
46 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
47 $22,240 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
48 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
49 $23,451 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
50 $23,636 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings difference between Communication and Media Studies programs in Texas?

The University of Texas Permian Basin graduates earn $52,107 annually compared to $22,923 at Texas A & M International University, a gap of over $29,000. This difference often reflects regional job markets, with areas like Austin and Dallas offering higher-paying media and tech communication roles. Geographic location plays a major role, as does the specific focus of each program on areas like corporate communications versus general media studies.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs among affordable Texas schools?

The data reveals no clear correlation between low costs and graduation success. University of Houston-Clear Lake achieves a 50.9% graduation rate with an $11,056 net cost, while Texas Southmost College has only a 26.8% rate despite costing $5,458. Several schools with net costs around $11,000 maintain graduation rates above 45%, suggesting that affordability and academic support can coexist effectively.

Is attending a private nonprofit worth the extra cost for Communication and Media Studies?

Wiley University charges $10,095 net cost but shows concerning outcomes with only a 20% graduation rate and $23,649 average earnings. This falls well below several public alternatives that cost similar amounts but deliver better results. Abilene Christian University's online program costs $12,714 with a 99.15% acceptance rate, though graduation and earnings data aren't available for comparison.

Does geographic location within Texas significantly impact program affordability?

Border region schools offer the most affordable options, with Texas A & M International in Laredo and Texas Southmost in Brownsville leading in low costs. However, this often correlates with lower post-graduation earnings, creating a trade-off between immediate affordability and long-term financial outcomes. Urban programs in Houston and San Antonio tend to cost more but may provide better networking and internship opportunities.

What debt levels should students expect from affordable Texas Communication programs?

Student debt ranges from $11,540 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $24,233 at Lamar University among schools reporting this data. The University of Texas at San Antonio graduates carry $21,655 in debt but earn $35,100 annually, creating a more manageable debt-to-income ratio. Most affordable programs keep debt levels reasonable, typically between $17,000 and $20,000 for completing 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.