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2027 Best Journalism Schools in the Southwest Region

24 Colleges in the United States
1,409 Journalism Degrees Awarded
$38,831 Avg Early-Career Salary

Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their journalism programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools to find the best for journalism students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Journalism in the Southwest 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

Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in journalism. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $40,502 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,448. More information about a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University

2

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 17 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Texas A And M University College Station

3

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in journalism, ranking #3. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 182 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $39,336 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

Austin Community College District came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 11 journalism degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,007 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for Austin Community College District

5

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #5 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 150 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,126. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937. Read more about the journalism program at Arizona State University

6

Baylor University came in at #6 for journalism this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 65 journalism degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $35,675. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,959 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Baylor University

7

Texas Christian University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at Texas Christian University

8

University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $36,521 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $20,520 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for University Of Arizona

9

Northern Arizona University placed #9 among the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Northern Arizona University awarded about 24 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $33,710. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $18,062 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Northern Arizona University

10

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #10 among the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 282 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $36,744. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the journalism program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

11

University Of North Texas earned the #11 position for journalism this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 179 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of North Texas earn around $38,118 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $19,877 in student loans. Read more about the journalism program at University Of North Texas

12

Texas Tech University earned the #12 position for journalism this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 35 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Journalism graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full journalism details for Texas Tech University

13

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #13 for journalism this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $33,255 in their early career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from Texas State University San Marcos

14

University Of Houston came in at #14 for journalism this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 journalism students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $36,226 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full journalism program report for University Of Houston

15

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #15 among the best journalism schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 33 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $32,423 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $13,606 in student loans. More information about a degree in journalism from University Of New Mexico Main Campus

16

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 18 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $31,068 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750. See the full journalism program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

17

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for journalism this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. New Mexico State University Main Campus awarded about 28 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $32,825 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,250. See the full journalism program report for New Mexico State University Main Campus

18

Oklahoma City Community College earned the #18 position for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City Community College awarded about 17 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Oklahoma City Community College earn around $39,848 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for Oklahoma City Community College

19

The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #19 position for journalism this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 19 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $55,304 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,632. More information about a degree in journalism from The University Of Texas At Arlington

20

Northeastern State University landed the #20 spot for journalism this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Tahlequah. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 journalism students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $49,353 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,465. Get the full journalism details for Northeastern State University

21

University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #21 position for journalism this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edmond. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. About 34 journalism degrees were awarded at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $28,139 early in their careers. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for University Of Central Oklahoma

22
Langston University crest
Langston University
Langston, OK

Langston University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best journalism schools. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. Langston University awarded about 11 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their journalism degree from Langston University earn around $39,579 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,017. Read more about the journalism program at Langston University

23

Texas Southern University placed #23 among the best journalism schools. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Texas Southern University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 24 journalism degrees were awarded at Texas Southern University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $18,301 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $34,750. More information about a degree in journalism from Texas Southern University

24
Ashford University crest
Ashford University
Chandler, AZ

Ashford University placed #24 among the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. About 10% of students finish within six years. Ashford University awarded about 13 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $32,459. Ashford University graduates carry a median of $43,250 in student loans. Get the full journalism details for Ashford University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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