2023 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Communication & Media Studies School for You
With 66,787 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the #10 most popular major in the United States.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 145 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for communications students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 15% Best Communication & Media Studies Schools
Our analysis found University of North Carolina at Pembroke to be the best value school for communication and media studies students who want to pursue a degree in the Southeast Region . Located in the distant town of Pembroke, UNC Pembroke is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 a year. On average, communications graduates from UNC Pembroke take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $127.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Florida State College at Jacksonville. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list. FSCJ is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Jacksonville.
FSCJ undergraduate students pay an average of $9,631 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Florida State College at Jacksonville
Request Information
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Carolina University is a great value for communication and media studies students. WCU is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCU are $8,367 per year. The average amount in student loans that communications majors at WCU take out is $23,250. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $166.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Western Carolina University
Request Information
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Liberty University is a great value for communication and media studies students. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Liberty University are $16,160 a year. Communications majors at Liberty University take out an average of $25,625 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $529.
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Nicholls State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Nicholls State University are $9,039 a year. While working on their degree, communications majors at Nicholls State University accumulate an average of around $24,229 in student debt.
Full Communication & Media Studies at Nicholls State University Report
Request Information
Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Jonesboro, A-State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at A-State are $12,698 per year. While working on their degree, communications majors at A-State accumulate an average of around $23,625 in student debt.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Arkansas State University - Main Campus
Request Information
With a ranking of #7, University of North Georgia did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students. UNG is a large public school located in the town of Dahlonega.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNG are $16,014 per year. While working on their degree, communications majors at UNG accumulate an average of around $21,923 in student debt.
UNG also claimed a spot on our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Georgia
Request Information
Appalachian State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for communication and media studies students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Appalachian State undergraduate students pay an average of $23,017 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, communications majors at Appalachian State accumulate an average of around $22,931 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $150, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Appalachian State also did well on our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Appalachian State University
Request Information
University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value communication and media studies programs. USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Tampa.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at USF Tampa are $17,324 a year. While working on their degree, communications majors at USF Tampa accumulate an average of around $22,007 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $181.
In addition to its great value ranking, USF Tampa is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus
Request Information
With a ranking of #10, Mississippi University for Women did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students. MUW is a small public school located in the remote town of Columbus.
MUW undergraduate students pay an average of $7,756 in tuition and fees each year.
Request Information
With a ranking of #11, Jackson State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Jackson State undergraduate students pay an average of $9,445 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, communications majors at Jackson State accumulate an average of around $32,482 in student debt.
Full Communication & Media Studies at Jackson State University Report
Request Information
East Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for communication and media studies students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public school with a very large student population.
ECU undergraduate students pay an average of $23,574 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that communications majors at ECU take out is $24,673. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $298, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
In addition to its great value ranking, ECU is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Request Information
University of Memphis landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value communication and media studies programs. Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UofM are $14,088 a year. Communications majors at UofM take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Memphis
Request Information
With a ranking of #14, University of Southern Mississippi did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, Southern Miss is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southern Miss are $11,204 a year.
Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Southern Mississippi Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #15, James Madison University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students. JMU is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JMU are $29,564 per year. While working on their degree, communications majors at JMU accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $440, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, JMU also is in the top 5% of our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
Full Communication & Media Studies at James Madison University Report
Request Information
Mississippi College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value communication and media studies programs. MC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton.
MC undergraduate students pay an average of $20,364 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, communications majors at MC accumulate an average of around $25,500 in student debt.
Request Information
University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for communication and media studies students. It came in at #17 on the list. UNC Charlotte is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Charlotte.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNC Charlotte are $20,622 a year. After completing their degree, communications graduates from UNC Charlotte carry an average student debtload of $25,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $177.
In addition to its great value ranking, UNC Charlotte is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Request Information
Queens University of Charlotte came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large city of Charlotte, Queens is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Queens are $38,726 a year. On average, communications graduates from Queens take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Communication & Media Studies at Queens University of Charlotte Report
Request Information
University of North Florida landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value communication and media studies programs. UNF is a fairly large public school located in the city of Jacksonville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNF are $19,407 a year. After completing their degree, communications graduates from UNF carry an average student debtload of $17,750. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $107, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of North Florida
Request Information
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Louisiana State University is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Baton Rouge.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Louisiana State University are $28,635 per year. After completing their degree, communications graduates from Louisiana State University carry an average student debtload of $21,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $296, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Louisiana State University also claimed a spot on our Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Request Information
Florida International University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FIU are $18,963 per year. On average, communications graduates from FIU take out $17,959 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $59.
Full Communication & Media Studies at Florida International University Report
Request InformationHonorable Mentions
Here are some additional great value schools for Communication & Media Studies students in the Southeast Region seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA |
| 23 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY |
| 24 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR |
| 25 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR |
| 26 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
| 27 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA |
| 27 | Virginia Tech | Blacksburg, VA |
| 29 | Columbus State University | Columbus, GA |
Best Communication & Media Studies Colleges by State
Explore the best communication and media studies schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Georgia | 795 |
| Virginia | 2,064 |
| North Carolina | 2,972 |
| Florida | 3,020 |
| Tennessee | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | 787 |
| South Carolina | 796 |
| Louisiana | 815 |
| Arkansas | 457 |
| Alabama | 968 |
| Mississippi | 307 |
| West Virginia | 214 |
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings in the Southeast Region
Majors Related to Communications
One of 5 majors within the area of study, communication and media studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Relations & Advertising | 21,099 |
| Radio, Television & Digital Communication | 17,669 |
| Journalism | 13,552 |
| Communication & Journalism (Other) | 1,128 |
| Publishing | 336 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland.
,_Helsinki_Finland_(11643271925).jpg){kind=link}
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.