2027 Best Value Photojournalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Photojournalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/photojournalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photojournalism students.
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2027 Best Value Photojournalism Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photojournalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Photojournalism Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Kentucky University the best value for a degree in photojournalism in the United States. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for photojournalism graduates is $25,500. Photojournalism graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,050 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in photojournalism will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Photojournalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photojournalism degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $25,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Oklahoma one of the best values for photojournalism. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Photojournalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Photojournalism graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $28,139 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Kent earned it the #4 place for photojournalism. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for photojournalism graduates is $25,000. Early-career photojournalism graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value photojournalism schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for photojournalism graduates is $24,208. Soon after graduation, photojournalism degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,246. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #6 for value in photojournalism this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Photojournalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Photojournalism graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #7 among the best values for photojournalism. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Photojournalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career photojournalism graduates make about $52,015. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #8 position for value in photojournalism this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photojournalism program here. Early-career photojournalism graduates make about $40,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Other Photojournalism Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Photojournalism rankings across degree levels:
View All Photojournalism Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
