2027 Best Value General Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 169 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general journalism students.
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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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $17,054. General Journalism graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $38,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,717 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $22,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $38,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for general journalism. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,480 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $30,564. Set against $15,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Lehman College placed #7 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,375 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $26,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,000. General Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the best values for general journalism. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,644. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,945. That is a strong return on a $22,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,844. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $31,788. Set against $16,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general journalism value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $18,250. General Journalism graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $32,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $26,122 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $29,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #15 spot for general journalism value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $35,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #16 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #17 position for value in general journalism this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,981. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #18 among the best values for general journalism. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,636. Set against $21,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #19 among the best values for general journalism. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $13,654. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $33,250. Set against $13,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $35,389 early in their careers. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #21 position for value in general journalism this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,837 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $38,540 early in their careers. Set against $22,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University landed the #22 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,662. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $23,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #23 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $36,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for general journalism value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,500. General Journalism graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #25 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $5,673. General Journalism graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general journalism value ranking:
Other General Journalism Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general journalism schools at other degree levels:
View All General Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 169 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 169 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.
