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2023 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master's Degree Schools

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

239 Colleges
$10,808 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$47,692 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Communication & Media Studies Master's Degree School for You

Communication & Media Studies is the #47 most popular major in the country with 5,059 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Grad Degree Search has created the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master's Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 239 schools in the United States to see which master's degree programs offered the best value experiences for communications students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States

Check out the communications master's degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Master's in Communication & Media Studies

#1

La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA

Our analysis found La Salle University to be the best value school for communication and media studies students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. La Salle is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.

La Salle graduate students pay an average of $1,455 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Media Studies at La Salle University Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia College Chicago. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Columbia graduate students pay an average of $2,350 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

BYU graduate students pay an average of $7,700 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU also is in the top 20% of our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools ranking.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo

#4

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Drake University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Drake are $11,988 per year.

Drake excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Drake University

#5

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spring Arbor University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Spring Arbor are $8,383 per year.

Read More…

#6

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Dubuque, UD is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UD are $7,940 a year.

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With a ranking of #7, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students working on their master’s degree. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at North Dakota State University are $12,028 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, North Dakota State University is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list.

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Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and media studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public college with a large student population.

Minnesota State Mankato graduate students pay an average of $9,308 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Minnesota State Mankato is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato Report

#9

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and media studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Fitchburg State is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize suburb of Fitchburg.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Fitchburg State are $6,012 a year.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Fitchburg State University Report

With a ranking of #10, West Texas A&M University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at West Texas A&M University are $8,574 a year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at West Texas A&M University

With a ranking of #11, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the midsize city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public college with a very large student population.

ASU - Skysong graduate students pay an average of $9,982 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#12

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Youngstown State University graduate students pay an average of $6,931 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Youngstown State University Report

Illinois State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree communication and media studies programs. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal.

Illinois State graduate students pay an average of $11,773 in tuition and fees each year.

Illinois State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Illinois State University Report

Northern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools ranking. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at NIU are $11,390 per year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Northern Illinois University

#15

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

University of South Dakota landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree communication and media studies programs. USD is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Vermillion.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at USD are $12,768 per year.

USD excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of South Dakota

#16

Asbury University

Wilmore, KY

Asbury University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Asbury graduate students pay an average of $9,990 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Asbury University Report

#17

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

With a ranking of #17, Liberty University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students working on their master’s degree. Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Lynchburg.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Liberty University are $8,360 a year.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Liberty University Report

#17

University of Delaware

Newark, DE

With a ranking of #17, University of Delaware did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public college with a very large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UD are $18,128 per year.

UD also claimed a spot on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full Communication & Media Studies at University of Delaware Report

#17

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Louisville, Bellarmine U is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Bellarmine U are $13,652 a year.

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With a ranking of #20, South Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for communication and media studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

South Dakota State graduate students pay an average of $16,917 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, South Dakota State also did well on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Communication & Media Studies at South Dakota State University Report

#21

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH

University of Dayton came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the midsize city of Dayton, UDayton is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UDayton are $18,140 per year.

UDayton excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Dayton

#22

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree communication and media studies programs. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.

St. Cloud State University graduate students pay an average of $13,412 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Saint Cloud State University

#23

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for communication and media studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield U is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Fairfield U graduate students pay an average of $19,498 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Fairfield U also did well on our Best Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Fairfield University

Northeastern State University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree communication and media studies programs. NSU is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at NSU are $10,911 per year.

Read More…

#25

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master’s Degree Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.

Grand Canyon University graduate students pay an average of $11,538 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Communication & Media Studies at Grand Canyon University Report

Rest of the Top Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master's Degree Schools

#26

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO
#27

Westminster College Utah

Salt Lake City, UT
#29

Villanova University

Villanova, PA
#30

Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ
#32

Lasell University

Newton, MA
#35

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, NY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
36 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
37 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
38 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
39 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
39 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
41 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
42 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
43 Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion, PA
43 Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
45 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
46 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
47 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
47 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN

Communication & Media Studies by Region

View the Best Value Communication & Media Studies Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Communication & Media Studies is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Relations & Advertising 2,828
Radio, Television & Digital Communication 2,562
Journalism 1,238
Communication & Journalism (Other) 341
Publishing 214

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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