2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in Missouri
[General Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/general-journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general journalism education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for general journalism students.
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2026 Best Value General Journalism Schools in Missouri
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
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #1 spot for value among general journalism schools in Missouri. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,532 to complete the general journalism program here. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $26,356. That is a strong return on a $34,532 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #2 place for general journalism. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $24,408. Early-career general journalism graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general journalism schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for general journalism graduates is $21,400. General Journalism graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. Set against $21,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
