2026 Best Value Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Communication Sciences graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 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 Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio this year in the United States. Set in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $27,776. Students borrow a median of $20,247 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,206 ten years after entry. 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
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marywood University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. Marywood University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $24,187 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,817. Set against $24,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants. More on Marywood University
Out of the 410 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, California State University San Marcos landed the #3 spot. 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, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $15,998. Median earnings reach $62,908 ten years out. Set against $15,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants. More on California State University San Marcos
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on this year's best-value Communication Sciences ranking in the United States. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, compared with $18,770 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 $49,827. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Out of the 410 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, New York Medical College landed the #5 spot. Set in Valhalla, NY, New York Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. New York Medical College Communication Sciences students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. See the full New York Medical College profile
California State University Northridge offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. California State University Northridge is a public school based in Northridge, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. California State University Northridge Communication Sciences students take on a median of $15,356 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,115 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge has an acceptance rate of 93%. See the full California State University Northridge profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #7 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,923 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Texas At El Paso
Salus University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Elkins Park, PA, Salus University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Salus University
Texas Womans University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Texas Womans University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $17,463 in debt. Texas Womans University alumni report median earnings of $56,544 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,463 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants. See the full Texas Womans University profile
California State University Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. California State University Los Angeles Communication Sciences students take on a median of $12,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. More on California State University Los Angeles
San Diego State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. San Diego State University Communication Sciences students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,909 ten years after entry. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants. More on San Diego State University
University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Communication Sciences students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Based in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Teachers College At Columbia University alumni report median earnings of $73,294 a decade after entry. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
California State University Dominguez Hills offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school based in Carson, CA. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $15,886. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on California State University Dominguez Hills
University Of Memphis offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. University Of Memphis is a public school based in Memphis, TN. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $26,315. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,458 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. Read more about University Of Memphis
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Communication Sciences students take on a median of $25,952 in debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,952 median debt. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,536 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $20,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. See the full Arizona State University profile
Florida International University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $19,349. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read more about Florida International University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park has an acceptance rate of 45%. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Portland State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. This public school is set in Portland, OR. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,906 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. Portland State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. More on Portland State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $25,987. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Mgh Institute Of Health Professions landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $95,932. Graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $87,130 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $32,000 median debt. See the full Mgh Institute Of Health Professions profile
California State University Long Beach landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. More on California State University Long Beach
University Of Houston landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Houston
University Of Scranton came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Scranton profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Communication Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Vanderbilt University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Syracuse University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Syracuse University
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Coahoma Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Coahoma Community College report
Misericordia University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Misericordia University
Saint Marys College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Saint Marys College
University Of Maine ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. See the full University Of Maine profile
Ball State University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. See the full Ball State University profile
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about Eastern Kentucky University
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #35 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. More on The University Of Texas At Tyler
Yeshiva University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Yeshiva University report
Francis Marion University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. See the full Francis Marion University profile
Kansas State University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about Kansas State University
Marshall University landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Marshall University
Pace University New York placed #40 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Pace University New York report
Truman State University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Truman State University profile
University Of Utah landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Utah profile
Illinois State University placed #43 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Illinois State University profile
Regis College
Regis College placed #44 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Regis College profile
South Suburban College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. See the full South Suburban College profile
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #46 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Midwestern University Downers Grove profile
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Ohio University Lancaster Campus profile
Carlos Albizu University Miami offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. More on Carlos Albizu University Miami
Chandler Gilbert Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. More on Chandler Gilbert Community College
Northeastern State University placed #50 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. More on Northeastern State University
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 Grad Degree (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 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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