2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in Texas
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Journalism Schools in Texas
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
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for general journalism in Texas. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,007. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,500. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $36,226. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Arlington earned it the #3 place for general journalism. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for general journalism. 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, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $19,877. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $38,118. That is a strong return on a $19,877 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $20,847. General Journalism graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $33,255 early in their careers. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #6 among the best values for general journalism. 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. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. General Journalism graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University placed #7 among the best values for general journalism. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $34,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $18,301. Set against $34,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #8 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $39,336. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #9 position for value in general journalism this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University came in at #10 for value in general journalism this year. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University landed the #11 spot for general journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. General Journalism graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $40,502 early in their careers. Set against $19,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #12 for value in general journalism this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
More General Journalism Rankings
View All General Journalism Rankings >
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
