2026 Best Value Communication Journalism Media Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Communication Journalism Media associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1525 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Communication Journalism Media Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year in the United States. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,869 ten years after entry. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Central New Mexico Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Franklin University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Columbus, OH, Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Students borrow a median of $42,017 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Franklin University alumni report median earnings of $51,892 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $42,017 median debt. Get the full Franklin University report
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Communication Journalism Media ranking in the United States. Based in Long Island City, NY, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $8,511. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,653. That is a strong return on a $8,511 median debt. Read more about Cuny Laguardia Community College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Communication Journalism Media ranking in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $8,643. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,306. Set against $8,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,627 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,177 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,627 median debt. See the full Austin Community College District profile
Wilmington University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Castle, DE. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $32,308 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,844. That is a strong return on a $32,308 median debt. More on Wilmington University
San Diego Mesa College landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. San Diego Mesa College Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $6,999 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,120 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full San Diego Mesa College report
Nassau Community College placed #8 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Based in Garden City, NY, Nassau Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,248 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Read the full report on Nassau Community College
Sinclair Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools. Located in Dayton, OH, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Journalism Media student debt is $11,944. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,558. That is a strong return on a $11,944 median debt. Read the full report on Sinclair Community College
Community College Of Philadelphia offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Community College Of Philadelphia Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $14,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,852 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Community College Of Philadelphia profile
Utah Valley University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Orem, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $14,200. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Utah Valley University
Weber State University placed #13 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ogden, UT. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $16,566 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Weber State University alumni report median earnings of $56,287 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Weber State University report
Fashion Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in New York, NY, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Fashion Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $62,696 a decade after entry. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants. More on Fashion Institute Of Technology
Columbus State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Columbus, GA, Columbus State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Columbus State University alumni report median earnings of $44,544 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Columbus State University has an acceptance rate of 99%. Read the full report on Columbus State University
Elizabethtown College placed #16 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Elizabethtown, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $62,399 ten years out. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Elizabethtown College report
Full Sail University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Winter Park, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Students borrow a median of $31,999 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,219 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Full Sail University profile
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Northwestern College Minnesota Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $21,639 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,755 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,639 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Northwestern College Minnesota
Academy Of Art University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,736. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,008 ten years after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Academy Of Art University
Colorado Christian University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools. Located in Lakewood, CO, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. The median Communication Journalism Media program debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Colorado Christian University profile
Evangel University placed #21 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Located in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,548. Evangel University Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $46,573 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full Evangel University report
Immaculata University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools. Immaculata University is a private not-for-profit school based in Immaculata, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,980. Students borrow a median of $27,738 to complete their Communication Journalism Media program here. Immaculata University alumni report median earnings of $75,701 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,738 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Immaculata University
Miami Media School offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Doral, FL, Miami Media School is a private for-profit institution. Miami Media School Communication Journalism Media students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $28,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Miami Media School
California State University Sacramento landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
Colorado Media School offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about Colorado Media School
Great Lakes Christian College placed #25 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. More on Great Lakes Christian College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Communication Journalism Media Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Lynn University
Lynn University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Lynn University report
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Maryville University Of Saint Louis report
Park University
Park University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Park University
Providence College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Providence College
Rutgers University Newark placed #30 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. More on Rutgers University Newark
San Diego State University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full San Diego State University profile
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools. Get the full Savannah College Of Art And Design report
Southern Nazarene University placed #33 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. See the full Southern Nazarene University profile
West Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on West Valley College
California Baptist University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full California Baptist University profile
Coker College
Coker College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools. More on Coker College
Eastern Arizona College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Eastern Arizona College
Emerson College
Emerson College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Emerson College report
Madison Area Technical College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
Neumann University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Neumann University
Ohio Media School Valley View placed #41 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read more about Ohio Media School Valley View
Oklahoma City University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Oklahoma City University profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Villa Maria College placed #44 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read the full report on Villa Maria College
Alvernia University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Alvernia University
American Public University System came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full American Public University System profile
Crafton Hills College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Crafton Hills College
Liberty University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Liberty University
San Jose City College placed #49 among the best-value Communication Journalism Media schools in the United States. Read the full report on San Jose City College
Bellevue University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. See the full Bellevue University profile
Related Communication Journalism Media Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Journalism Media Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 1525 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).
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