2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for general journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $22,839. That is a strong return on a $13,717 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for general journalism. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $12,375. General Journalism graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $26,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. General Journalism graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $46,893 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #4 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $19,500. General Journalism graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $25,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Suny College At Buffalo one of the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,257. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $28,553. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Morgan State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $28,088. Set against $30,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #8 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,125. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #9 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #10 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $29,628. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $54,170. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #12 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,947. General Journalism graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $22,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #13 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,523. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #14 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $32,523. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rowan University earned the #15 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $34,038. Set against $24,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey placed #16 among the best values for general journalism. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,429. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $42,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #17 for value in general journalism this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $30,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
St Johns University New York earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $36,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,750. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Siena College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,805. Students borrow a median of $26,656 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $44,535. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. Siena College admits about 69% of applicants.
Ithaca College placed #21 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $34,453. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Hofstra University landed the #22 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
George Washington University came in at #23 for value in general journalism this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $52,015. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Lehigh University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $45,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
New York University landed the #25 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general journalism this year:
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
