2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in District of Columbia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in District of Columbia
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
Our analysis ranked George Washington University the best value for a degree in journalism in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $52,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Georgetown University one of the best values for journalism. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $59,912. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
American University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from American University generally make around $47,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
