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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Journalism

504 Ranked Colleges
13,552 Degrees Awarded
$27,300 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 13,552 people earned their degree in journalism, making the major the 69th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,953 and had an average of $23,734 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major” ranking analyzed 504 colleges that offered a degree in journalism. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their journalism program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Journalism Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Journalism Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Journalism

1
Rust College crest
Rust College
Holly Springs, Mississippi

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rust College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Journalism at Rust College

2
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Bennett College
Greensboro, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bennett College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Bennett is a private not-for-profit institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Bennett Journalism Report

3
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Patrick Henry College
Purcellville, Virginia

Out of the 504 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Patrick Henry College landed the #3 spot on the list. Patrick Henry College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Purcellville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Patrick Henry College Journalism Report

4
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Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emerson College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 130 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Emerson Journalism Report

5
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St. Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, New York

Out of the 504 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major that were part of this year’s ranking, St. Bonaventure University landed the #5 spot on the list. St. Bonaventure is a small school located in Saint Bonaventure, New York that handed out 56 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full St. Bonaventure University Journalism Report

6
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The King's College
New York, New York

The King’s College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. TKC is a small school located in New York, New York that handed out 9 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at TKC

7
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Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Kentucky State University is a small school located in Frankfort, Kentucky that handed out 14 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full KY State Journalism Report

8
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Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia

Savannah State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking, coming in at #8. Savannah State University is a small school located in Savannah, Georgia that handed out 42 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Savannah State University Journalism Report

9

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Sagrado is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santurce, . The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at Sagrado

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 488 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Mizzou Journalism Report

11
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Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Stillman College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Stillman College is a small school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 6 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Journalism at Stillman College

12
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Central State University
Wilberforce, Ohio

Central State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Central State University is located in Wilberforce, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Journalism at Central State University

13
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Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, Hampton University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. This small school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 40 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Journalism at Hampton University

14
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Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland

Morgan State University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Journalism at Morgan State University

15
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Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia College & State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Georgia College & State University is a public institution located in Milledgeville, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Georgia College

16
University of West Georgia crest
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia

University of West Georgia came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. University of West Georgia is a fairly large school located in Carrollton, Georgia that handed out 117 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Full University of West Georgia Journalism Report

17
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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #17, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 48 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Journalism at Ship

18

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 279 diplomas to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full University of Oklahoma Journalism Report

19
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 257 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kansas Journalism Report

20
LU Missouri crest
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, Missouri

Lincoln University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. LU Missouri is located in Jefferson City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s journalism degrees to qualified students.

Full Lincoln University Journalism Report

21
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North Greenville University
Tigerville, South Carolina

North Greenville University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking, coming in at #21. Tigerville, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s journalism degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Greenville Journalism Report

22
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Olivet College
Olivet, Michigan

With a ranking of #22, Olivet College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Located in Olivet, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s journalism students in 2020-2021.

Full Olivet Journalism Report

23
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Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Syracuse is a private not-for-profit institution located in Syracuse, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 233 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Journalism at Syracuse

24
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Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Columbia College Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major list. Columbia College Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 43 ’s journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Journalism at Columbia

25
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Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

Samford University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major ranking. Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Journalism at Samford University

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Purchase College
Purchase, New York
27
Salem County College crest
Salem Community College
Carneys Point, New Jersey
28
29
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West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
30
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
31
32
Flagler St. Augustine crest
Flagler College - St Augustine
Saint Augustine, Florida
33
SUNY Brockport crest
The College at Brockport
Brockport, New York
34
OCC crest
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York
35
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana
36
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
37
Langston University crest
Langston University
Langston, Oklahoma
37
MMC crest
Marymount Manhattan College
New York, New York
39
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Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York
40
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
41
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Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
42
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia
43
44
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College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, Missouri
45
46
Quinnipiac crest
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, Connecticut
47
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University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
48
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
49
Louisiana Tech crest
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana
50
Cameron University crest
Cameron University
Lawton, Oklahoma

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Journalism Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA
52 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
53 University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR
54 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
55 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
56 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
57 Radford University Radford, VA
58 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
59 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
60 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
61 Asbury University Wilmore, KY
62 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
63 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
64 Elon University Elon, NC
65 Drury University Springfield, MO
Rank College Location
66 Texas Southern University Houston, TX
67 Augustana College Rock Island, IL
68 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
69 University of Scranton Scranton, PA
70 Baylor University Waco, TX
71 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
72 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
73 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
74 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
75 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
76 University of Georgia Athens, GA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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