2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in Kentucky
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for journalism students.
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2027 Best Value Journalism Schools in Kentucky
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
Leading the list is Kentucky State University, our #1 best value for journalism in Kentucky. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Journalism graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for journalism. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,122. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $29,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Journalism graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $26,000. Journalism graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $36,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
