2027 Best Value General Journalism Master’s Degree Schools
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 26 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
Leading the list is University Of Georgia, our #1 best value for general journalism in the United States. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $46,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $36,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #3. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,877 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $38,118 early in their careers. Set against $19,877 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $46,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Sacred Heart landed the #7 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Sacred Heart admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $61,760 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #9 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,500. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $37,484. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #11 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $55,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #12 for value in general journalism this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,258. General Journalism graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #13 for value in general journalism this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $56,011. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama came in at #14 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Iowa earned the #15 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $75,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $38,762. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Boston University landed the #17 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,813. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $59,418. That is a strong return on a $24,813 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,000. General Journalism graduates of Temple University earn a median of $30,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Southern California landed the #19 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $49,625. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University placed #20 among the best values for general journalism. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $37,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
New York University earned the #21 position for value in general journalism this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $41,856. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Quinnipiac University earned the #23 position for value in general journalism this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $40,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Georgetown University earned the #24 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $59,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Full Sail University came in at #25 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,906 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $41,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value General Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general journalism this year:
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
