2027 Best Value Journalism Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong journalism education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 180 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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Journalism Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $17,054. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,164. Set against $17,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $13,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,290 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $23,120. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $17,054. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $38,164. That is a strong return on a $17,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,598. Journalism graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,480. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $30,564. That is a strong return on a $15,480 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Journalism graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Journalism graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #8 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $26,319 early in their careers. Set against $12,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,644. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $40,945 early in their careers. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #11 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,886. Early-career journalism graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $16,875. Journalism graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,788 early in their careers. Set against $16,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $18,250. Journalism graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $32,825 early in their careers. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,122. Early-career journalism graduates make about $29,647. Set against $26,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Oakland University landed the #16 spot for journalism value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,000. Early-career journalism graduates make about $35,545. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
San Jose State University landed the #17 spot for journalism value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $21,120. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,636. That is a strong return on a $21,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #19 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $13,654 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $33,250. Set against $13,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #20 for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $43,463. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,389. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $36,303 early in their careers. Set against $22,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #23 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,837 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $38,540. That is a strong return on a $22,837 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $26,662 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $23,169 early in their careers. Set against $26,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #25 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $35,050. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Journalism Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in journalism:
Other Journalism Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Journalism rankings across degree levels:
View All Journalism Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 180 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 180 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.
