by our College Data Analytics Team
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for journalism students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in journalism, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in journalism, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Journalism graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for journalism. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,837 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $38,540 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,837 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $22,300. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #5 place for journalism. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #7 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $39,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,000. Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $36,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #9 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $29,000. Early-career journalism graduates make about $26,591. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #10 for value in journalism this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #11 among the best values for journalism. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $31,753. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #12 among the best values for journalism. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,500. Journalism graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,575 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #13 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,675. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $31,398. That is a strong return on a $25,675 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #14 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,942. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,346 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #16 for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $30,735 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $31,845. Set against $30,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #17 for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #18 for value in journalism this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,985 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,912. That is a strong return on a $24,985 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for journalism. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $25,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #20 for value in journalism this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $43,468 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $38,246. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #22 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $34,829. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #23 for value in journalism this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $31,369. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford landed the #24 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $32,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,334 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $35,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s journalism value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.