2027 Best Value Journalism Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for journalism students.
What’s on this page:
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
University Of Georgia tops our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools in the United States. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,120 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,067. That is a strong return on a $21,120 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $19,937. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the best values for journalism. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Texas came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $19,877. Early-career journalism graduates make about $38,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,942. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #6 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Journalism graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #7 among the best values for journalism. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,250. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,893. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Sacred Heart ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santurce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $24,742. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Sacred Heart admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #9 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $61,760 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Harvard University landed the #10 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #11 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $55,800. Set against $21,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kansas State University came in at #12 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $21,500. Early-career journalism graduates make about $37,484. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #13 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Journalism graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $54,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #14 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, 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 $56,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #15 position for value in journalism this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,000. Journalism graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $35,509 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,907. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $75,030. That is a strong return on a $25,907 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #17 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $38,762. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Boston University earned the #18 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Journalism graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $59,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Temple University came in at #19 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,000. Journalism graduates of Temple University earn a median of $30,959 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California placed #20 among the best values for journalism. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $49,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Hofstra University earned the #21 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $25,000. Journalism graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $37,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
New York University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $41,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Georgetown University landed the #24 spot for journalism value this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $16,483. Journalism graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $59,912 early in their careers. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Quinnipiac University landed the #25 spot for journalism value this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $40,184. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 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
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
