2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for journalism students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,717 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $22,839. Set against $13,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,290 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $23,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for journalism. 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. Journalism graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $26,319. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $46,893. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ocean County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $13,792. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.
Montclair State University landed the #6 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $25,575. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #7 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Onondaga Community College placed #8 among the best values for journalism. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,125 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $10,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Albany earned the #9 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $28,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #10 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,627. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $33,085. That is a strong return on a $24,627 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Morgan State University came in at #11 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $30,896. Journalism graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $28,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $32,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #13 for value in journalism this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Journalism graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #14 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $29,628 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $54,170. 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.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $23,947 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,011. That is a strong return on a $23,947 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #17 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $32,523. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #18 position for value in journalism this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $32,523. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,238. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $34,038. That is a strong return on a $24,238 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #20 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $42,217 early in their careers. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Temple University landed the #21 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Temple University earn a median of $30,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
St Johns University New York placed #22 among the best values for journalism. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $36,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,499. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Siena College landed the #24 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,805. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,656 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $44,535. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. Siena College admits about 69% of applicants.
Ithaca College placed #25 among the best values for journalism. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $34,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Journalism Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s journalism value ranking:
Narrow Journalism Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
