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 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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, Healthcare Degree Search evaluated 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
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio this year in the United States. Located 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio report
Marywood University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Communication Sciences ranking in the United States. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%. Get the full Marywood University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in San Marcos, CA, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Graduates carry a median of $15,998 in student loans. California State University San Marcos alumni report median earnings of $62,908 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,998 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants. See the full California State University San Marcos profile
A rank of #4 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Springfield, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Missouri State University Springfield Communication Sciences students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,827 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. 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. 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. Get the full New York Medical College report
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Located in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $15,356. California State University Northridge alumni report median earnings of $59,115 a decade after entry. Set against $15,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. See the full California State University Northridge profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Set in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. The University Of Texas At El Paso alumni report median earnings of $50,923 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso has an acceptance rate of 100%. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
Salus University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Salus University is a private not-for-profit school based in Elkins Park, PA. Get the full Salus University report
Texas Womans University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Denton, TX. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $17,463. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,544. That is a strong return on a $17,463 median debt. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Texas Womans University
California State University Los Angeles came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $59,211 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. Get the full California State University Los Angeles report
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. San Diego State University alumni report median earnings of $64,909 a decade after entry. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 36% of those who apply are admitted. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. University Of Georgia Communication Sciences students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,726. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. More on University Of Georgia
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,294 ten years after entry. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school based in Carson, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $15,886. 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%. Read the full report on California State University Dominguez Hills
University Of Memphis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. 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. University Of Memphis has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full University Of Memphis profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $25,952. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,536 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Arizona State University
Florida International University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Miami, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, 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. See the full Florida International University profile
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. The median Communication Sciences program debt is $21,500. Median earnings reach $82,860 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Portland State University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical Communication Sciences student debt is $23,907. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read more about Portland State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete their Communication Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,810 ten years after entry. Set against $25,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Mgh Institute Of Health Professions placed #22 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $95,932. Mgh Institute Of Health Professions Communication Sciences students take on a median of $32,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $87,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Mgh Institute Of Health Professions report
University Of Southern Mississippi offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on University Of Southern Mississippi
Utah State University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Utah State University report
Misericordia University placed #25 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Misericordia University 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:
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Schreiner University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full Schreiner University report
Brescia University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Get the full Brescia University report
Cuny Queens College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Florida State University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Florida State University profile
Ithaca College
Ithaca College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Ithaca College
Florida Atlantic University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Florida Atlantic University profile
The University Of Texas At Dallas offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full The University Of Texas At Dallas profile
Francis Marion University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Francis Marion University report
Southern Connecticut State University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Southern Connecticut State University
University Of Colorado Boulder offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. More on University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Trinity Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Trinity Christian College
University Of Wyoming came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Wyoming
Santa Ana College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. More on Santa Ana College
East Tennessee State University placed #42 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. More on East Tennessee State University
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne profile
Delaware Valley College placed #44 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. More on Delaware Valley College
Eastern Michigan University placed #45 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Eastern Michigan University
Faulkner University landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Faulkner University
Montclair State University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Montclair State University report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Southern Adventist University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Communication Sciences schools. Read more about Southern Adventist University
Georgia State University placed #50 among the best-value Communication Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Related Communication Sciences Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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
The ranking above is published by Healthcare Degree Search (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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