2026 Best General Journalism Schools in California
General Journalism degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general journalism programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 85 schools to find the best for general journalism students.
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Best Schools for General Journalism in California
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in general journalism. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 137 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $47,138. Typical student debt for the program is $16,250.
See the full general journalism program report for University Of Southern California
A rank of #2 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for general journalism. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 general journalism degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $48,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,333.
More information about a degree in general journalism from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Loyola Marymount University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #3. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
Get the full general journalism details for Loyola Marymount University
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general journalism, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 29 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the general journalism program at San Jose State University
A rank of #5 makes San Francisco State University one of the top schools for general journalism. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 36 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from San Francisco State University earn around $31,788 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,875.
Read more about the general journalism program at San Francisco State University
California State University Sacramento placed #6 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 38 general journalism degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $30,644 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Sacramento
California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Long Beach
Orange Coast College came in at #8 for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Orange Coast College
California State University Northridge landed the #9 spot for general journalism this year. 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. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $30,564. Students borrow a median of $15,480 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Northridge
California State University Chico earned the #10 position for general journalism this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 28 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for California State University Chico
California State University Fresno earned the #11 position for general journalism this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 79 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $49,502 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,598.
Read more about the general journalism program at California State University Fresno
San Diego State University landed the #12 spot for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 119 general journalism degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $30,269 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,998 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general journalism from San Diego State University
College Of The Canyons placed #13 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 12 general journalism degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776.
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Cerritos College came in at #14 for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $29,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
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University Of La Verne earned the #15 position for general journalism this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 11 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of La Verne earn around $35,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of La Verne
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #16 among the best general journalism schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. About 23 general journalism degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $52,683 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete this degree.
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Santa Monica College placed #17 among the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is 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.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Santa Monica College
Mt San Antonio College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 10 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $44,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384.
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Riverside City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 13 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $37,102 in their early career. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans.
Read more about the general journalism program at Riverside City College
Fresno City College earned the #20 position for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Typical student debt for the program is $7,234.
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Fullerton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Fullerton College awarded about 14 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general journalism program report for Fullerton College
El Camino Community College District ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 11 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general journalism from El Camino Community College District
Biola University placed #23 among the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 10 general journalism degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Biola University earn a median of $41,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general journalism program report for Biola University
Sierra College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $29,214 in their early career. Sierra College graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general journalism from Sierra College
Humboldt State University placed #25 among the best general journalism schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Arcata. Humboldt State University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Humboldt State University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,686 early in their careers. Humboldt State University graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans.
See the full general journalism program report for Humboldt State University
Rest of the Top 26 General Journalism Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general journalism this year:
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 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 · 85 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.
