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2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

154 Ranked Colleges
26,603 Degrees Awarded
$7,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Communication & Journalism is the 11th most popular major in the country with 120,571 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, communication and journalism graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,266 and had an average of $24,758 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 26,603 communication and journalism graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,512 and $25,772 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 154 colleges that offer a degree in communication and journalism. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and journalism programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and journalism program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The communication & journalism school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1

Out of the 154 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #1 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 696 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UNC Chapel Hill

2
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 154 schools in the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 888 students in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $65 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of Florida

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,401 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Wake Forest University

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 610 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at University of South Florida - Main Campus

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a public institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $8,818 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Communication & Journalism at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

6
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University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 964 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,303 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UGA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at University of Georgia

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 383 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,950 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State Communication & Journalism Report

8

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 335 students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $11,318 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

9

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 900 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,196 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FIU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Full Florida International University Communication & Journalism Report

10

University of Central Florida landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 679 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

UCF also made our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $4,468 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCF Communication & Journalism Report

11
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 232 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNF is $4,367 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Communication & Journalism at UNF

12
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communication and journalism degrees to 266 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Communication & Journalism Report

13
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 143 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,632 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Kentucky University.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at Northern Kentucky University

14
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 264 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at NC State

15
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 335 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,354 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 full report on Communication & Journalism at Appalachian State University

16
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FAU is located in Boca Raton, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 353 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,726 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full FAU Communication & Journalism Report

17

With a ranking of #17, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of West Florida is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 115 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of West Florida is $4,288 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at UWF

18
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 370 diplomas to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, WVU also did well on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $10,014 for southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at West Virginia University

19
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University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UARK is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 408 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, UARK has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arkansas is $12,003 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UARK Communication & Journalism Report

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 478 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UK is $12,593 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UK Communication & Journalism Report

21
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. JMU is a large school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 446 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,288 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend JMU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Communication & Journalism at JMU

22
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 345 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region communication & journalism students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,260 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read full report on Communication & Journalism at ECU

23
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 454 ’s communication and journalism degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ole Miss is $7,764 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Mississippi Communication & Journalism Report

24

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 422 ’s communication and journalism degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville also took the #25 spot in our “Best Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,433 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Journalism at UT Knoxville

25

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communication & Journalism Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 202 degrees to qualified ’s communication and journalism students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FGCU is $6,762 for Southeast Region Communication & Journalism students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 full report on Communication & Journalism at Florida Gulf Coast University

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