College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income Over $110k) in California

21 Ranked Colleges
1,640 Degrees Awarded
$29,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 California, there were 1,640 journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,623 and $21,695 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great journalism programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the journalism program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Journalism Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

1625422318186022049924588187142422013579277401319123493298022340034536529173878140682445985034850830

Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Journalism (Income Over $110k) in California

1

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #1 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 85 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,230 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 California State University - Fresno

2
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 170 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make more than $110k list, SDSU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SDSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SDSU Journalism Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Journalism at CSULB

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Sacramento. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 41 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $11,178 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Journalism Report

5
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make more than $110k list, San Jose State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for california journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Journalism at San Jose State

6

California State University - Northridge came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 161 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make more than $110k list, CSUN has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make more than $110k list, Chico State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,218 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Chico State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at California State University - Chico

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

CSUDH also took the #19 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,026 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUDH Journalism Report

9

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national 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 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

10

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA also took the #20 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on Journalism at Cal State LA

11
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 61 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make more than $110k list, SFSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,459 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend San Francisco State University.

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 SFSU

12

University of California - Irvine ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Journalism at University of California - Irvine

13
14
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Journalism at Humboldt State University

15
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #15. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california journalism students whose families make more than $110k list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $26,719 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

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 Cal Baptist

16
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 115 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list. It costs about $32,569 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Southern California.

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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.

Full University of Southern California Journalism Report

17
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. La Mirada, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

Biola not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Biola is $33,269 for california journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at Biola

18
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Academy of Art University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $36,143 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Academy of Art University

19
Pepperdine crest
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

With a ranking of #19, Pepperdine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Malibu, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Pepperdine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Pepperdine University is $38,846 for California Journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Pepperdine University

20
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

Chapman University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Chapman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 31 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Chapman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Journalism Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chapman is $44,198 for california journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Chapman University

21
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Journalism Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 29 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Loyola Marymount also took the #7 spot in our “Best Journalism Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount is $44,467 for california journalism students whose families make more than $110k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Loyola Marymount University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options