[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 211 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for journalism students.
Where you study journalism affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Journalism Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Journalism Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in journalism in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $9,776. Early-career journalism graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $38,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,007 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #5. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,717 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $22,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,717 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $10,290. Journalism graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $23,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Florida Online placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,054 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $38,164. Set against $17,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Santa Monica College placed #8 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in journalism this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for journalism value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge earned the #11 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,480. Journalism graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $30,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #13 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $12,375. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $26,319. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #14 position for value in journalism this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College placed #15 among the best values for journalism. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #16 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District earned the #17 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Fullerton College landed the #18 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
University Of Central Florida earned the #19 position for value in journalism this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $40,945. That is a strong return on a $22,644 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Chaffey College landed the #20 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Long Beach City College placed #21 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #23 spot for journalism value this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $9,980. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #24 for value in journalism this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #25 position for value in journalism this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Journalism Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for journalism this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 211 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 211 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).
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
