2026 Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 99 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Other Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Gonzaga University this year in the United States. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. The median Other Communication Journalism Media program debt is $25,188. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,892. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Gonzaga University
A rank of #3 makes Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham one of the best values in the United States. Set in Madison, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete their Other Communication Journalism Media program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,273 ten years after entry. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Out of the 99 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Mississippi College landed the #4 spot. Based in Clinton, MS, Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Typical Other Communication Journalism Media student debt is $25,510. Median earnings reach $47,485 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi College has an acceptance rate of 29%. Get the full Mississippi College report
A rank of #5 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values in the United States. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Other Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $20,474 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,474 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Teaneck, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,010. Graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus profile
University Of Sacred Heart landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Sacred Heart is a private not-for-profit school based in Santurce, PR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410. The median Other Communication Journalism Media program debt is $14,493. Median earnings reach $31,754 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,493 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Sacred Heart
Duquesne University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete their Other Communication Journalism Media program here. Median earnings reach $74,742 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. More on Duquesne University
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical Other Communication Journalism Media student debt is $27,093. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock alumni report median earnings of $45,265 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. About 59% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
Northeastern University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Northeastern University Other Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $25,611 in debt. Median earnings reach $92,538 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Northeastern University
Bowie State University placed #11 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bowie, MD. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Bowie State University alumni report median earnings of $54,537 a decade after entry. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full Bowie State University report
New York University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. The median Other Communication Journalism Media program debt is $21,897. New York University alumni report median earnings of $82,509 a decade after entry. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. See the full New York University profile
Fordham University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete their Other Communication Journalism Media program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $85,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 59% of those who apply are admitted. More on Fordham University
University Of Denver placed #14 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical Other Communication Journalism Media student debt is $22,534. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,155 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Denver profile
Fairmont State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. See the full Fairmont State University profile
Benedictine University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Read the full report on Benedictine University
Le Moyne Owen College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. See the full Le Moyne Owen College profile
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. See the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania profile
Merrimack College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Read more about Merrimack College
University Of Arizona landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Arizona
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Michigan Dearborn
Whitworth University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Whitworth University report
Benedictine College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Benedictine College
Valparaiso University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Valparaiso University profile
Northern Arizona University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. More on Northern Arizona University
Northwestern University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Northwestern University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Other Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
High Point University placed #26 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read more about High Point University
Malone University placed #27 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read more about Malone University
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Read the full report on Tulane University Of Louisiana
Thiel College
Thiel College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Thiel College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Utah ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. More on University Of Utah
Western Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Western Illinois University
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
Metropolitan State College Of Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Thomas Edison State College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Thomas Edison State College
Drexel University placed #37 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Get the full Drexel University report
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks placed #38 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks
Boston University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Get the full Boston University report
Buena Vista University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Read more about Buena Vista University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
Harford Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Harford Community College profile
Desales University placed #43 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read more about Desales University
Millsaps College
Millsaps College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Millsaps College report
Prince Georges Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Prince Georges Community College report
Delaware County Community College placed #46 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Get the full Delaware County Community College report
Full Sail University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools. Read the full report on Full Sail University
Keystone College
Keystone College placed #48 among the best-value Other Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read more about Keystone College
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
Palo Verde College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Palo Verde College
Related Other Communication Journalism Media Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Communication Journalism Media Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 99 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).