2027 Best Value Journalism Associate’s Degree Schools
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value journalism schools.
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2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Journalism Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among journalism schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for journalism. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Journalism graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #3 place for journalism. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,007. Early-career journalism graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $8,007 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for journalism. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #7 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Fullerton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Chaffey College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #11 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Riverside City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,767. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Journalism graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #14 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Journalism graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College landed the #15 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #16 for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #17 for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $8,770. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College landed the #18 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $13,792. Early-career journalism graduates make about $41,306. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College came in at #19 for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Set against $10,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Pierce College landed the #20 spot for journalism value this year. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,477 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. That is a strong return on a $12,477 median debt.
Bakersfield College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Journalism graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Other Journalism Degree Levels
Explore the best-value journalism schools at other degree levels:
View All Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
