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2027 Best Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region

49 Colleges in the United States
2,241 Journalism Degrees Awarded
$36,405 Avg Early-Career Salary

Journalism programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their journalism programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools to find the best for journalism students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Journalism in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Journalism

1
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

Leading the list is University Of Richmond, our #1 school for journalism. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 14 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Richmond earn around $43,157 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,897. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of Richmond

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 139 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,164 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Florida

3

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #3. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 263 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of Georgia earn around $41,352 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,120 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for University Of Georgia

4
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of Miami awarded about 24 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $41,378 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. See the full journalism program report for University Of Miami

5
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,354 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Arkansas

6

Elon University placed #6 among the best journalism schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 23 journalism degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Elon University earn a median of $34,105 early in their careers. Elon University graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Elon University

7

University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for journalism this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 64 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $40,945 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Central Florida

8
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University landed the #8 spot for journalism this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 10 journalism degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. Get the full journalism details for High Point University

9

The University Of Tennessee came in at #9 for journalism this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $32,082 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,849 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from The University Of Tennessee

10

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #10 among the best journalism schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 51 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $35,389 early in their careers. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

11

The University Of Alabama earned the #11 position for journalism this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 127 journalism degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $35,509. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for The University Of Alabama

12
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #12 among the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 64 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $38,357 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full journalism program report for Auburn University

13

West Virginia University placed #13 among the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 139 journalism students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,075. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in journalism from West Virginia University

14

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,762 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full journalism details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

15

University Of Florida Online placed #15 among the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 12 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $38,164 in their early career. University Of Florida Online graduates carry a median of $17,054 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Florida Online

16
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Samford University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Samford University earn a median of $30,311 early in their careers. Samford University graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for Samford University

17
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University earned the #17 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 10 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. Get the full journalism details for Belmont University

18

Georgia College And State University came in at #18 for journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Milledgeville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Georgia College And State University awarded about 72 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $38,603. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in journalism from Georgia College And State University

19

The University Of Tampa ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 14 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tampa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $45,401. Students borrow a median of $25,191 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at The University Of Tampa

20

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #20 position for journalism this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 77 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $30,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for Middle Tennessee State University

21

University Of Kentucky earned the #21 position for journalism this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. About 34 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $36,926 in their early career. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for University Of Kentucky

22

Appalachian State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 33 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Appalachian State University earn around $27,116 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for Appalachian State University

23

Loyola University New Orleans ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 18 journalism degrees were awarded at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $37,206. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in journalism from Loyola University New Orleans

24

Kennesaw State University landed the #24 spot for journalism this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 45 journalism degrees were awarded at Kennesaw State University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $30,792 early in their careers. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Kennesaw State University

25

Mercer University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 journalism degrees were awarded at Mercer University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $32,807 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at Mercer University

Rest of the Top 49 Journalism Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s journalism ranking:

26
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
27
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
28
29
30
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
31
32
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
33
34
35
36
37
38
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
39
40
41
42
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL
43
44
45
Morehouse College crest
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GA
46
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
47
48
49
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

View All Journalism Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 49 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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