2023 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
32
Ranked Colleges
2,197
Degrees Awarded
$9,700
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 13,552 people earned their degree in journalism, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,953 and had an average of $23,734 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 2,197 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,202 and $21,567 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 32 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in journalism. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent journalism programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the journalism program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 115 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,287 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Journalism at USC
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Journalism Report
Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 85 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at Fresno State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 170 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at San Diego State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 109 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,663 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSULB.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Journalism at CSULB
Western Washington University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 59 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $9,979 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Western Washington University Journalism Report
University of California - Irvine ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Journalism at University of California - Irvine
Washington State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington State University is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 70 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
Wazzu also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $7,689 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Washington State University Journalism Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $8,163 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Sac State Journalism Report
University of Oregon landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 148 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.
UO also took the #4 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UO is $13,666 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at University of Oregon
California State University - Northridge ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 161 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,266 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUN.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at CSUN
University of Nevada - Reno landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nevada - Reno is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNR also took the #9 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNR is $11,795 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at University of Nevada - Reno
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at Cal State LA
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Journalism at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Jose State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $12,158 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at San Jose State University
San Diego Mesa College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego Mesa College is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $4,672 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full San Diego Mesa College Journalism Report
With a ranking of #17, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,754 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at Chico State
With a ranking of #18, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,657 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at CSUDH
Central Washington University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ellensburg, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
CWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Washington University is $10,796 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Journalism at CWU
San Francisco State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 61 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
SFSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $10,705 for far western us region journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full SFSU Journalism Report
University of Hawaii at Manoa came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UH Manoa is $10,124 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at UH Manoa
University of Alaska Anchorage ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,971 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UAA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UAA Journalism Report
Gonzaga University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gonzaga, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gonzaga University is $20,762 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Journalism at Gonzaga University
Humboldt State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Journalism Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,473 for Far Western US Region Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Humboldt State University Journalism Report
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