2027 Best Value General Journalism Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general journalism schools.
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2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general journalism program here. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $9,776. 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.
Austin Community College District came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,007. 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.
Santa Monica College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #5 place for general journalism. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College placed #7 among the best values for general journalism. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District came in at #8 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Fullerton College landed the #9 spot for general journalism value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Chaffey College earned the #10 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $6,952. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College came in at #14 for value in general journalism this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Itawamba Community College placed #15 among the best values for general journalism. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #16 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,770 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Pierce College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the general journalism program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other General Journalism Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Journalism rankings across degree levels:
View All General Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
