2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Communication Sciences graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 410 institutions 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Communication Sciences graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a public school based in San Antonio, TX. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,776. Graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,206. That is a strong return on a $20,247 median debt. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio
You'll get strong value at Marywood University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Scranton, PA, Marywood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $24,187. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Marywood University profile
California State University San Marcos came in at #3 on this year's best-value Communication Sciences ranking in the United States. Based in San Marcos, CA, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Graduates carry a median of $15,998 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,908 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,998 median debt. California State University San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 95%. Get the full California State University San Marcos report
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on this year's best-value Communication Sciences ranking in the United States. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $21,500. Missouri State University Springfield alumni report median earnings of $49,827 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
A rank of #5 makes New York Medical College one of the best values in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Valhalla, NY. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Read more about New York Medical College
California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,115 ten years after entry. Set against $15,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $19,819. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,923. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso has an acceptance rate of 100%. Read more about The University Of Texas At El Paso
Salus University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Elkins Park, PA, Salus University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Salus University
Texas Womans University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Texas Womans University is a public school based in Denton, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $17,463 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,544 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. See the full Texas Womans University profile
California State University Los Angeles placed #10 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $12,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,211 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. More on California State University Los Angeles
San Diego State University placed #11 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $15,000. Median earnings reach $64,909 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%. More on San Diego State University
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,726. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%. Read more about University Of Georgia
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #13 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $73,294 ten years out. More on Teachers College At Columbia University
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Based in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,162 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full California State University Dominguez Hills report
University Of Memphis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. University Of Memphis is a public school based in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. University Of Memphis Communication Sciences students take on a median of $26,315 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,458. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants. Read more about University Of Memphis
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #16 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $25,952 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. Set against $25,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Arizona State University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $20,536 in student loans. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,536 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Arizona State University
Florida International University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Florida International University is a public school based in Miami, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $19,349. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants. Read more about Florida International University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park has an acceptance rate of 45%. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Portland State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Portland State University alumni report median earnings of $57,906 a decade after entry. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Portland State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $25,987. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Mgh Institute Of Health Professions came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Boston, MA, Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $95,932. Students borrow a median of $32,000 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $87,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Mgh Institute Of Health Professions
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Michigan State University
West Coast University Dallas landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full West Coast University Dallas report
Eastern Illinois University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Get the full Eastern Illinois University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
California Baptist University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on California Baptist University
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus
Central Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Central Michigan University report
Eastern Washington University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Eastern Washington University report
South Suburban College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about South Suburban College
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #31 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Depaul University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on Depaul University
Lebanon Valley College placed #33 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Lebanon Valley College
Midwestern University Glendale ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Get the full Midwestern University Glendale report
A T Still University Of Health Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on A T Still University Of Health Sciences
Gordon College
Gordon College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Gordon College
University Of Iowa came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Iowa report
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Eastern Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
Elmira College
Elmira College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Elmira College profile
Ohio University Southern Campus placed #41 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Ohio University Southern Campus report
Thiel College
Thiel College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Thiel College profile
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
San Francisco State University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about San Francisco State University
Cleveland State University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Cleveland State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #46 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Hardin Simmons University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Hardin Simmons University report
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock report
Mesa Community College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Mesa Community College profile
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. See the full The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center profile
Related Communication Sciences Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Communication Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Communication Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Communication Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 410 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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