2026 Best General Journalism Schools in the Far Western Region
General Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 103 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Journalism in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Journalism
No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for general journalism. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 137 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Southern California
A rank of #2 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. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 85 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $48,637. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,333 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Students looking for a strong general journalism program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $33,250. Typical student debt for the program is $13,654.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
A rank of #4 makes Loyola Marymount University one of the top schools for general journalism. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 28 general journalism degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
Read more about the general journalism program at Loyola Marymount University
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 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
San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for general journalism this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 36 general journalism degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $31,788 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,875.
See the full general journalism program report for San Francisco State University
Washington State University came in at #7 for general journalism this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $36,273 early in their careers. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $22,506 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Washington State University
Western Washington University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 37 general journalism degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $34,119 in their early career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $18,075 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at Western Washington University
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 38 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,644 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
More information about a degree in general journalism from California State University Sacramento
California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Long Beach
Orange Coast College placed #11 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Orange Coast College awarded about 10 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general journalism program at Orange Coast College
California State University Northridge placed #12 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 92 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from California State University Northridge earn around $30,564 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,480.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Northridge
California State University Chico came in at #13 for general journalism this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $35,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
More information about a degree in general journalism from California State University Chico
California State University Fresno earned the #14 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 79 general journalism degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Fresno
San Diego State University earned the #15 position for general journalism this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 119 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from San Diego State University earn around $30,269 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,998 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for San Diego State University
College Of The Canyons came in at #16 for general journalism this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 12 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for College Of The Canyons
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #17 spot for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Nevada Reno
University Of Oregon came in at #18 for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 128 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $36,841 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for University Of Oregon
Gonzaga University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Gonzaga University earn around $36,767 in the first couple years of their career. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Gonzaga University
Cerritos College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 12 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
Read more about the general journalism program at Cerritos College
University Of La Verne placed #21 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $35,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
Read more about the general journalism program at University Of La Verne
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #22 among the best general journalism schools. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 23 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete this degree.
Get the full general journalism details for California State University Dominguez Hills
Santa Monica College earned the #23 position for general journalism this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 21 general journalism degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year.
Read more about the general journalism program at Santa Monica College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #24 position for general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Mt San Antonio College
Riverside City College came in at #25 for general journalism this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Riverside City College awarded about 13 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $37,102 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,767.
Get the full general journalism details for Riverside City College
Rest of the Top 34 General Journalism Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general journalism this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 103 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
