[Publishing](/majors/communication-journalism-media/publishing/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value publishing schools.
The publishing program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Publishing Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Publishing Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny City College tops our 2027 list of the best value publishing schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for publishing graduates is $13,389. Publishing graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value publishing schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Publishing graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Publishing graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value publishing schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Publishing graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, publishing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Portland State University one of the best values for publishing. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for publishing graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, publishing degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $23,449. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in publishing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for publishing graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, publishing degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University earned the #6 position for value in publishing this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the publishing program here. Publishing graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $17,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
Pace University New York landed the #7 spot for publishing value this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete the publishing program here. Publishing graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $41,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University came in at #8 for value in publishing this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for publishing graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, publishing degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $58,819. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
New York University placed #9 among the best values for publishing. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for publishing graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, publishing degree recipients from New York University generally make around $48,633. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Emerson College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value publishing schools. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,056. Typical student debt for publishing graduates is $24,813. Publishing graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $44,046 early in their careers. Set against $24,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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).
[Publishing](/majors/communication-journalism-media/publishing/) 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.
