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2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region

57 Ranked Colleges
13,574 Degrees Awarded
$13,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 120,571 people earned their degree in communication & journalism, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication & journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 13,574 communication & journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,481 and $24,205 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 57 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication & journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication & journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication & journalism program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region communication & journalism students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism in the Southwest Region

1
CNM crest
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region. CNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s communication & journalism degrees to qualified students.

CNM also took the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $3,322 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

Full CNM Communication & Journalism Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. UOPX - Arizona is a large school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 257 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - Arizona, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,038 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend UOPX - Arizona.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Phoenix - Arizona

3

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #3 spot on the list. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,162 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ASU - Skysong did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Arizona State University - Skysong

4
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 867 diplomas to qualified ’s communication & journalism students in 2020-2021.

Texas Tech also took the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $16,194 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Texas Tech University

5
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Canyon University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s communication & journalism degrees to 350 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southwest region communication & journalism students list, Grand Canyon University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Grand Canyon University

6

University of North Texas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 679 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNT also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Texas is $14,122 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

Full UNT Communication & Journalism Report

7

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 451 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $21,122 for southwest region communication & journalism students per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

8

With a ranking of #8, Austin Community College District did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. Austin Community College District is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 99 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $7,224 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at Austin Community College District

9
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #9. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication & journalism degrees to 453 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UH is $13,721 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UH

10

With a ranking of #10, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 196 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

SHSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $15,035 for southwest region communication & journalism students per year to attend SHSU.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at SHSU

11

With a ranking of #11, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 145 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $3,743 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

12
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Northern Arizona University is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 415 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

NAU also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $14,308 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northern Arizona University

13
Tarleton crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #13. Tarleton State University is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 92 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Tarleton also took the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tarleton is $20,307 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

Full Tarleton State University Communication & Journalism Report

14

With a ranking of #14, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 325 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at San Antonio is $10,549 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UTSA Communication & Journalism Report

15
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #15. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 776 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,887 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend Texas State University.

Full Texas State University Communication & Journalism Report

16

West Texas A&M University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. West Texas A&M University is a medium-sized school located in Canyon, Texas that handed out 70 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,033 for southwest region communication & journalism students per year to attend West Texas A&M University.

Full West Texas A&M University Communication & Journalism Report

17

With a ranking of #17, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. ASU - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 893 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,107 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend ASU - Tempe.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at ASU - Tempe

18
NSU crest
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. Northeastern State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 28 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for NSU is $10,094 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full NSU Communication & Journalism Report

19

East Central University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. ECU is a small public school situated in Ada, Oklahoma. It awarded 20 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for East Central University is $10,496 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

Full East Central University Communication & Journalism Report

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Central Oklahoma did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. This fairly large school is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, and it awarded 141 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCO is $17,339 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

Full UCO Communication & Journalism Report

21

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. ENMU - Main Campus is a small school located in Portales, New Mexico that handed out 29 ’s communication & journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ENMU - Main Campus is $8,961 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at ENMU - Main Campus

22

With a ranking of #22, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 166 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $14,237 for southwest region communication & journalism students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at OSU

23
Angelo State crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #23. San Angelo, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication & journalism degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,184 for southwest region communication & journalism students per year to attend Angelo State University.

Full Angelo State Communication & Journalism Report

24

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s communication & journalism degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,393 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students per year to attend Stephen F Austin State University.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at SFASU

25
MSU Texas crest
MSU Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s communication & journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MSU Texas is $10,407 for Southwest Region Communication & Journalism students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at MSU Texas

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