2026 Best General Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 ranking of the best general journalism schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 135 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Florida earn around $38,164 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,054. Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Florida

2

Washington And Lee University
Lexington, VA

Students looking for a strong general journalism program will find one at Washington And Lee University, which ranked #2. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington And Lee University awarded about 13 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. Typical student debt for the program is $20,074. See the full general journalism program report for Washington And Lee University

3

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 165 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,120. See the full general journalism program report for University Of Georgia

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 55 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $40,945 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Central Florida

5

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. Elon University awarded about 42 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $34,105 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,875. More information about a degree in general journalism from Elon University

6

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #6 among the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $38,354 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of Arkansas

7

High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University landed the #7 spot for general journalism this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 15 general journalism degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. More information about a degree in general journalism from High Point University

8

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee placed #8 among the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 125 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $32,082 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,849 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at The University Of Tennessee

9

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #9 for general journalism this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. About 51 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general journalism program make about $35,389 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

10

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #10 spot for general journalism this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 44 general journalism degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $38,357 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Auburn University

11

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #11 for general journalism this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 156 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,075 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the general journalism program at West Virginia University

12

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 45 general journalism degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Samford University earn a median of $30,311 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,120. More information about a degree in general journalism from Samford University

13

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #13 spot for general journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 general journalism degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $38,762 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from University Of South Carolina Columbia

14

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,659. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general journalism from Middle Tennessee State University

15

Georgia College And State University
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College And State University earned the #15 position for general journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Milledgeville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 65 general journalism degrees were awarded at Georgia College And State University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $38,603 early in their careers. Georgia College And State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full general journalism details for Georgia College And State University

16

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #16 for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 36 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $36,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the general journalism program at University Of Kentucky

17

The University Of Tampa
Tampa, FL

The University Of Tampa landed the #17 spot for general journalism this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tampa. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. About 13 general journalism degrees were awarded at The University Of Tampa in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $25,191 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for The University Of Tampa

18

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Loyola University New Orleans earned the #18 position for general journalism this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University New Orleans awarded about 18 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Loyola University New Orleans earn around $37,206 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general journalism from Loyola University New Orleans

19

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University earned the #19 position for general journalism this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 28 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $27,116. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. See the full general journalism program report for Appalachian State University

20

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. Kennesaw State University awarded about 47 general journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general journalism degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $30,792. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Read more about the general journalism program at Kennesaw State University

21

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for general journalism this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 16 general journalism degrees were awarded at Western Kentucky University in the most recent year. General Journalism graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,050 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Read more about the general journalism program at Western Kentucky University

22

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #22 for general journalism this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Highland Heights. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Northern Kentucky University earn around $29,647 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,122 to complete this degree. Get the full general journalism details for Northern Kentucky University

23

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #23 for general journalism this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. General Journalism graduates of Radford University earn a median of $25,675 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,135. More information about a degree in general journalism from Radford University

24

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University landed the #24 spot for general journalism this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 87 general journalism degrees were awarded at Georgia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Georgia State University earn around $28,416 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general journalism program at Georgia State University

25

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University earned the #25 position for general journalism this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Austin Peay State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 general journalism students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general journalism degree from Austin Peay State University earn around $44,360 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. See the full general journalism program report for Austin Peay State University