2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 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 Southwest Region
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 Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for general journalism in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,007. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Oklahoma City Community College one of the best values for general journalism. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general journalism. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $32,825. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Northeastern State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $18,062 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $33,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,226. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. 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%.
University Of North Texas came in at #9 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,877 in student loans. 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%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general journalism this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $13,606. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $32,423. Set against $13,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #11 for value in general journalism this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,521. That is a strong return on a $20,520 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,847. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $33,255. That is a strong return on a $20,847 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $29,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #14 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $39,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Southern University landed the #15 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $34,750. General Journalism graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $18,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,750 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Texas Christian University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general journalism schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $22,960. General Journalism graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Set against $22,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Ashford University earned the #18 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $43,250. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $32,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Methodist University placed #19 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $19,448. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $40,502. Set against $19,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University earned the #20 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $35,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
