by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 195 schools to find the best return on investment for general journalism students.
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The right general journalism school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Journalism Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Journalism Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general journalism, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $17,075. General Journalism graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,007 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,717 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $22,839. That is a strong return on a $13,717 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Florida Online landed the #6 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $38,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Santa Monica College came in at #7 for value in general journalism this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College earned the #8 position for value in general journalism this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #10 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #11 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,480 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $30,564 early in their careers. Set against $15,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #12 for value in general journalism this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $12,375. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $26,319. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #13 spot for general journalism value this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #14 position for value in general journalism this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #15 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
California State University Sacramento earned the #16 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,644. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Fullerton College came in at #17 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Chaffey College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida landed the #19 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $40,945 early in their careers. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Long Beach City College came in at #20 for value in general journalism this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #21 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College came in at #23 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #24 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $15,886. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $28,844. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
These schools also delivered strong value for general journalism this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Journalism. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 195 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.