2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 48 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Journalism Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $38,164. That is a strong return on a $17,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $38,164. Set against $17,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete the general journalism program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #4. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $10,942. General Journalism graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,122 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,120 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $41,352. That is a strong return on a $21,120 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,389. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University placed #8 among the best values for general journalism. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $35,050. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #9 for value in general journalism 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $26,662. General Journalism graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $23,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University earned the #10 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $28,497. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #11 position for value in general journalism this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #12 among the best values for general journalism. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #13 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $21,087. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $32,820. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University placed #15 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,183. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah State University earned the #16 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $33,000. General Journalism graduates of Savannah State University earn a median of $24,310 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,000 median debt.
University Of West Georgia landed the #17 spot for general journalism value this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $27,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,700. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $30,792. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
West Virginia University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. 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. General Journalism graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #20 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $36,356. That is a strong return on a $27,393 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Radford University landed the #21 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,135 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $25,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #22 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $28,807. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $27,259. Set against $28,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Georgia Southern University landed the #23 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $33,798. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $38,354. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #25 for value in general journalism this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $27,000. General Journalism graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $28,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 48 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. 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
