2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Southwest 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general journalism students.
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2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in the Southwest 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
For return on investment in general journalism, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. 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, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,007 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $8,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at Oklahoma City Community College, which ranked #2. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,250. General Journalism graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $32,825. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #4 makes Northeastern State University one of the best values for general journalism. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of North Texas earned the #6 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $19,877. 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 Arizona earned the #7 position for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,520 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #8 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Journalism graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $33,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #9 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $36,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #10 spot for general journalism value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $33,255. That is a strong return on a $20,847 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $39,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $13,606. General Journalism graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $32,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,606 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #13 position for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $29,622. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University came in at #14 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Abilene Christian University came in at #15 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,772. General Journalism graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Texas Christian University came in at #16 for value in general journalism this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Set against $22,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,448 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University placed #18 among the best values for general journalism. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,959 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $35,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
