2026 Best Value Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Instructional Media Design doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 385 schools 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 reviewed schools to compile 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 Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Brigham Young University Provo this year in the United States. Set in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $12,184. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,790. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Provo
Out of the 385 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Dekalb, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,060. Graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,808. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Northern Illinois University profile
Out of the 385 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Capella University landed the #3 spot. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $35,998. Median earnings reach $42,189 ten years out. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Capella University
Out of the 385 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Towson University landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $21,241. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,390. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. See the full Towson University profile
Out of the 385 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Mount Pleasant, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $27,857. Central Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $55,874 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on Central Michigan University
University Of North Texas offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. University Of North Texas alumni report median earnings of $57,010 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of North Texas report
Sam Houston State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $24,850. Median earnings reach $54,211 ten years out. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Sam Houston State University
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #8 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Based in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,140 ten years after entry. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi has an acceptance rate of 99%. More on University Of Southern Mississippi
Kennesaw State University placed #9 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $27,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,552 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants. Read the full report on Kennesaw State University
Lehigh University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $105,584 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants. Read the full report on Lehigh University
Iowa State University placed #11 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Iowa State University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,386. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Iowa State University
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $21,792. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,726. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Duquesne University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $26,297. Duquesne University alumni report median earnings of $74,742 a decade after entry. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Duquesne University
University Of Phoenix Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,752. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt. More on University Of Phoenix Arizona
Boise State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Based in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $24,311. Median earnings reach $51,658 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. More on Boise State University
Florida State University placed #17 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $20,488. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%. See the full Florida State University profile
Utah State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $16,191. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,022. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants. Read more about Utah State University
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Ohio University Main Campus Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $24,546 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,581. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $73,294 ten years out. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
Indiana University Bloomington offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $20,542. Median earnings reach $63,742 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #22 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $23,530. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Syracuse University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. The median Instructional Media Design program debt is $26,130. Median earnings reach $79,164 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Syracuse University report
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #24 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,624. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Median earnings reach $55,939 ten years out. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Get the full West Virginia University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Instructional Media Design Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Michigan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Michigan State University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $25,213 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Michigan State University
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,056. Graduates carry a median of $36,416 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,696. That is a strong return on a $36,416 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Idaho State University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Located in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete their Instructional Media Design program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,608. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Idaho State University
Wayne State University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Wayne State University is a public school based in Detroit, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical Instructional Media Design student debt is $26,689. Wayne State University alumni report median earnings of $53,493 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Wayne State University
Pepperdine University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,918. Pepperdine University Instructional Media Design students take on a median of $23,645 in debt. Pepperdine University alumni report median earnings of $82,939 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%. Get the full Pepperdine University report
California State University Long Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about California State University Long Beach
Drury University
Drury University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. Read more about Drury University
Miami University Oxford ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. See the full Miami University Oxford profile
Northeastern University Global Network landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Northeastern University Global Network
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania report
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Texas A And M University Commerce
Buena Vista University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Buena Vista University profile
Kent State University At Kent came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Kent State University At Kent
New York University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on New York University
Webster University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Webster University
California State University Chico offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full California State University Chico report
New Jersey City University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on New Jersey City University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. See the full University Of Maryland Baltimore County profile
Saint Joseph College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. More on Saint Joseph College
California State University San Bernardino came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on California State University San Bernardino
Mcneese State University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. See the full Mcneese State University profile
University Of Rio Grande placed #47 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Rio Grande
Georgia State University placed #48 among the best-value Instructional Media Design schools in the United States. Get the full Georgia State University report
Loyola University Chicago ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Instructional Media Design schools. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Related Instructional Media Design Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Instructional Media Design Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 385 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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