2026 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general journalism students.
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2026 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
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in Texas. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $8,007. General Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #2 place for general journalism. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general journalism program here. 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general journalism will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,877 to complete the general journalism program here. 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. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the best values for general journalism. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. General Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $39,336. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $20,847 to complete the general journalism program here. General Journalism graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $33,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #6 among the best values for general journalism. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $29,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University placed #7 among the best values for general journalism. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $34,750. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $18,301. That is a strong return on a $34,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Abilene Christian University earned the #8 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the general journalism program here. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Texas Christian University placed #9 among the best values for general journalism. 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. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Southern Methodist University placed #10 among the best values for general journalism. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $40,502. That is a strong return on a $19,448 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $23,959. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $35,675. That is a strong return on a $23,959 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
More General Journalism Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
