General Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 183 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general journalism students pursuing a degree.
The general journalism program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Journalism rankings. For our Best Overall General Journalism School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Journalism Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general journalism. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 156 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $47,138 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for University Of Southern California
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 65 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $42,450 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
A rank of #3 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for general journalism. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 82 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $48,637 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,333.
Read more about the general journalism program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 132 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $39,992 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the general journalism program at Indiana University Bloomington
A rank of #5 makes University Of Richmond one of the top schools for general journalism. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Richmond earn around $43,157 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,897 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Richmond
Southern Methodist University landed the #6 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 32 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $40,502. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for Southern Methodist University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 214 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,942 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for general journalism this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 43 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $33,250 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,654.
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Texas A And M University College Station earned the #9 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 17 general journalism degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Georgetown University landed the #10 spot for general journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgetown University awarded about 17 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $59,912. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
See the full general journalism program report for Georgetown University
Boston University earned the #11 position for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 143 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,138. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete this degree.
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University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 450 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Florida landed the #13 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 139 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. Typical student debt for the program is $17,054.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Florida
New York University placed #14 among the best general journalism schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $64,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
Read more about the general journalism program at New York University
Harvard University came in at #15 for general journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 26 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Loyola Marymount University landed the #16 spot for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 34 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
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The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #17 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 182 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $39,336 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #18 position for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 44 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $36,303 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Austin Community College District ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general journalism schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 11 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $8,007 in student loans.
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University Of Georgia came in at #20 for general journalism this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 146 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Georgia earn around $41,352 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans.
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San Jose State University earned the #21 position for general journalism this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full general journalism program report for San Jose State University
University Of Kansas placed #22 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 214 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $54,601. Typical student debt for the program is $22,811.
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George Washington University landed the #23 spot for general journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $52,015 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Baylor University placed #24 among the best general journalism schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 65 general journalism degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Baylor University earn around $35,675 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,959.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Baylor University
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #25 position for general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $46,893 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 General Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general journalism education:
General Journalism is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 183 schools evaluated.
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).
